How much exercise is too much?

There is no magic number of minutes that determines how much exercise is too much. It depends on many factors such as your age, weight, medical history, and fitness level. But current research clearly demonstrates that too much exercise may cause harmful effects known as overtraining syndrome.

Overtraining syndrome commonly occurs in athletes or fitness enthusiasts who are training beyond their body’s ability to recover. When an individual is performing excessive amounts of exercise without proper rest and recovery, there may be some harmful side effects. Some of these side effects may include decreased performance, fatigue, altered hormonal states, poor sleeping patterns (insomnia), reproductive disorders, decreased immunity, loss of appetite, mood disturbances, and a compulsive need to exercise.

To help avoid overtraining training be sure to eat a well-balanced diet and strive for a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. A proper nutrition strategy coupled with adequate rest will help provide you the necessary nutrients and energy your body needs to maintain physical activity.

In addition, it is equally important to listen to your body. If you’re feeling rundown, take a short break from your typical exercise routine and treat yourself to some rest and relaxation.