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I. Exercise-Induced Abdominal Pain
According to investigations of several competitions, the incidence of exercise-induced abdominal pain is quite high, sometimes affecting up to 60% of participants. Once this symptom occurs, it can slow down the athlete or, in severe cases, force them to withdraw from the competition.
Causes:
1. Insufficient warm-up activities can lead to the inertia of internal organs not being overcome, failing to meet the demands of intense exercise, thus causing abdominal pain. For example, inadequate warm-up followed by sudden acceleration can cause spasms of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles and mesenteric traction, resulting in abdominal pain.
2. Residual feces in the intestines can cause irritation to the intestines and nearby organs when jolted, leading to abdominal pain.
3. Additionally, excessive tension, irregular breathing rhythms, and uncoordinated movements during exercise can also cause abdominal pain.
Measures:
If abdominal pain occurs during a competition or training, mild cases can be relieved by pressing the painful area with the thumb, slowing down the running speed, and adjusting breathing. In severe cases, exercise should be stopped immediately for a thorough examination.
Prevention:
Before training or competition, ensure a thorough warm-up to help internal organs quickly adapt to the exercise demands. Start slowly and gradually increase speed, manage physical exertion wisely, and pay special attention to meal timing, content, and quantity. Meals should be consumed at least two hours before activity, consisting of easily digestible foods, avoiding gas-producing and hard-to-digest foods. Do not overeat before a competition; 70-80% fullness is recommended. Additionally, clearing residual feces from the intestines is an effective way to prevent abdominal pain.
Enhancing overall physical training can improve the function of internal organs, thus preventing exercise-induced abdominal pain. If the pain is due to liver, gastrointestinal, or other diseases, training or competition should be stopped for a thorough examination and treatment.
II. Calf Cramps
Cramps refer to the rigid contraction of muscles. In marathon running, the most common site for cramps is the calf muscles (gastrocnemius), followed by the thigh muscles. Cramps occur frequently in marathon competitions, affecting a significant proportion of athletes.
Causes:
Prolonged rapid muscle contractions cause fatigue, leading to cramps. Training or competing in hot weather, where excessive potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium are lost through sweat, can also cause cramps. In cold weather, insufficient warm-up can make muscles susceptible to cold, causing cramps. Athletes in poor physical condition are also more prone to cramps during training or competition.
Measures:
When calf cramps occur, stop exercising immediately, straighten the knee joint, flex the toes, and massage the calf muscles. Massage the central part of the calf (Chengshan acupoint) with the thumb to relieve the cramp. Be careful not to apply excessive force during the massage.
Prevention:
The main preventive measure is to enhance overall physical training. In cold weather, ensure a thorough warm-up. In hot weather, ensure adequate mineral supplementation. Encourage marathon runners to develop the habit of replenishing fluids during the race. Avoid participating in high-intensity training or competitions when in poor physical condition.
III. Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia
During marathon running, which lasts a long time, blood glucose levels can be significantly depleted, sometimes leading to hypoglycemia, known as exercise-induced hypoglycemia. This condition typically occurs during exercise or after the competition.
Causes:
Exercise-induced hypoglycemia mainly occurs due to the significant depletion of glucose in the blood during prolonged intense exercise, disrupting the brain's regulation of metabolism and increasing insulin levels. Pre-competition hunger, excessive nervousness, or poor physical condition can also trigger hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of exercise-induced hypoglycemia include weakness, hunger, cold sweats, irritability, confusion, slurred speech, mental disorientation, convulsions, and even coma. During examination, the pulse may be rapid and weak, breathing short, and pupils dilated. Blood glucose levels can drop below 50 mg%.
Measures:
If exercise-induced hypoglycemia occurs, drinking sugar water and eating sweet foods can generally restore normalcy. In severe cases, intravenous glucose solution can be administered to raise blood glucose levels and alleviate symptoms.
Prevention:
To prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia, restrict untrained or physically unfit individuals from participating in marathons. Avoid running on an empty stomach. Marathon runners should consume high-sugar foods in the days leading up to the race to ensure adequate glycogen reserves. They should also develop the habit of consuming glucose drinks during the race.
IV. Excessive Nervousness
Causes:
Excessive nervousness among marathon runners is common during competitions. It can result from inadequate training, sudden increases in exercise intensity, lack of competition experience, poor physical condition, or recent recovery from illness.
Measures:
If excessive nervousness is detected, the athlete should rest lying down, keep warm, and drink sugar water. In severe cases, acupuncture at the Renzhong acupoint and artificial respiration may be necessary, along with intravenous glucose solution (25%-50%).
Prevention:
Preventing excessive nervousness involves improving physical fitness and training levels, adhering to gradual training principles, avoiding competitions when ill or in poor condition, managing physical exertion wisely during the race, and ensuring thorough pre-competition preparation.
V. Exercise-Induced Hematuria
After marathon training or competition, some athletes may experience hematuria (blood in urine), visible to the naked eye or under a microscope. Despite this, athletes usually feel fine with no other symptoms, and kidney function tests, blood tests, and X-rays are normal. Most cases resolve within 24 hours, with the latest recovery within 36 hours.
Causes:
Exercise-induced hematuria may be caused by running on hard surfaces, causing prolonged kidney vibrations that lead to red blood cells leaking from the glomeruli. Intense physical training involving vigorous bending and stretching of the waist can also compress the kidneys and twist renal blood vessels, increasing venous pressure and causing red blood cells to leak from the glomeruli.
Measures:
If exercise-induced hematuria occurs, reduce exercise intensity, and symptoms should gradually lessen and disappear. If symptoms persist despite reduced exercise, stop training and seek necessary treatment. Western medicine options include injections of Anluoxue, Hemostatic, ATP, Coenzyme A, and Vitamin B12, and oral Vitamin C and K. Traditional Chinese medicine options include injections of Niuxi or taking heat-clearing, dampness-eliminating, blood-tonifying, and blood-cooling medications.
It is important to distinguish between hematuria caused by organic diseases and exercise-induced hematuria to avoid delaying treatment.
VI. Exercise-Induced Anemia
Exercise-induced anemia is not uncommon among marathon runners. Anemia refers to a condition where the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the circulating blood is below normal levels. Anemia is usually a symptom rather than a specific disease and can have many types, such as aplastic anemia and iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia caused by exercise is known as exercise-induced anemia.
Red blood cells transport oxygen to various tissues and organs. Healthy males have 4-5 million red blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood, while females have 3.5-4.5 million. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (also called blood pigment), which gives blood its red color. Normal males have 12-15 grams of hemoglobin per 100 milliliters of blood, while females average 11-13 grams.
Causes:
In marathon training, excessive exercise can lead to the destruction of red blood cells and a decrease in hemoglobin, causing temporary anemia. This reduces the body's oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to decreased performance and training effectiveness. Symptoms of anemia include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, purple lips, and general weakness.
Measures:
If an athlete experiences exercise-induced anemia, adjusting exercise intensity and increasing nutrition, especially foods rich in protein and iron (e.g., green vegetables, fruits, lean meats, liver, legumes, and eggs), can help restore normal function.
If anemia is caused by other factors, treatment should be tailored to the specific cause.
VII. Exercise-Induced Proteinuria
After intense marathon training or competition, athletes may have significant amounts of protein in their urine, known as exercise-induced proteinuria.
Causes:
The exact cause of exercise-induced proteinuria is not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that it may be due to the constriction of renal blood vessels during exercise, causing blood flow stasis and increased pressure in the glomerular capillaries, leading to protein filtration through the glomerular membrane.
Previously, exercise-induced proteinuria was considered a normal physiological phenomenon, harmless to health and not affecting training. However, recent studies have shown that 40% of athletes with exercise-induced proteinuria experience poor subjective feelings, along with signs of certain diseases and over-fatigue, suggesting that it should not be considered purely physiological.
Measures:
The amount of protein in the urine after exercise is related to the athlete's physical condition, exercise intensity, and tension during training and competition.