What are the consequences of long-term excessive running?

Excessive running over a long period generally leads to muscle damage, knee injuries, neurasthenia, and other conditions. Appropriate treatments can be selected depending on the specific situation.

1. Muscle Damage

Running provides appropriate stimulation to muscles, making them progressively stronger. However, muscular strength and endurance are limited. If excessive running continues over a long period without adequate recovery, it may lead to muscle damage, soreness, and even long-term complications. Individuals should immediately stop running, apply compression bandages or cold compresses to the affected area, and, if necessary, take anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications as directed by a physician, such as ibuprofen tablets or nimesulide dispersible tablets.

2. Knee Injury

Long-term excessive running places significant impact stress on the knees due to body weight, increasing the risk of knee damage and accelerating joint aging. Patients may use medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets or celecoxib capsules under medical guidance. In severe cases, surgical treatments such as ligament reconstruction or arthroscopic surgery may be recommended by a doctor.

3. Neurasthenia

Excessive running over a prolonged period, especially when accompanied by persistent physical and mental tension, can cause the nervous system to remain in a state of chronic stress. This may deplete mental energy and lead to neurasthenia, manifesting as slowed thinking, poor concentration, and mental fatigue. Under a doctor's supervision, patients may be treated with medications such as sertraline hydrochloride tablets or fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules.