While physical activities like exercising and gymming are supposed to good for you and keep you fit, too much of it can turn the tables on your health.
Doing that cost a 22-year-old techie, employed at Dell, his life. Reports say that according to the police, Varun Kumar entered the office before his shift began and dashed to the gym to get some exercise before his schedule started.
He had barely begun his workout when he suddenly complained of chest pain and started sweating profusely.
“The gym instructors asked him to sit for a while, but he suddenly collapsed in a heap and became unconscious. Varun was rushed to the company clinic on the campus. The doctor checked Varun's blood pressure and found that his pulse was hovering at 40,'' Madhapur sub-inspector P Vijay Kumar told the Times of India.
A native of Vizag, Varun was residing in Matrusrinagar in Miyapur. He had joined Dell a year ago and was a regular at the gym.
The TOI report adds that Varun did not eat properly the previous night, and still came to the gym, to work out. His father also claimed that his son had some heart problem in the past.
A case of suspicious death under Section 174 of Criminal Procedure Code was registered and an autopsy was conducted. Following this, the body was handed over to the family, while his viscera was sent for forensic examination, The Hindu reported.
Varun's tragic and untimely death should make one realise the importance of understanding that the body cannot adapt to an overworked lifestyle. Excessive exercise for which the body is not prepared can cause extensive oxidative damage.
Realising your limitations and fitness capacity becomes essential in this regard. Workouts should not exceed more than 5-6 hours a week, therefore it is even more important to understand the needs of your body and knowing when to stop.
The body needs rest as much as it needs exercise. Recovery period is very important for muscle growth. Slowly, lack of stamina will seep in and affect your exercise regime as well.
American Heart Association has revealed that more than 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year throughout US and most of these events happen to people working out.
People often ignore the warning signs their body has been sending them. Last month, a video became viral on internet in which a 17 year old boy dies of heart attack in a gym.
It is important to stay in shape and a certain amount of workout is necessary as well. But pushing yourself beyond the limits can be a no-brainer at times. Listen to what your body has been trying to tell you. Eat well, sleep well and sweat it out at gym.
Another concern that has to be raised in our country is the lack of proper medical equipments at the gyms. AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is one such device which can save many lives. Gyms and sports centres should have this device in their premises.
Although, regular exercise strengthens heart, but long term strenuous exercise can increase the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest.