The harms of running in the morning

Nov 20, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Running in the morning may pose health risks such as hypoglycemia, respiratory diseases, and sudden death. Prolonged or intense running in the morning, especially on an empty stomach, can easily lead to hypoglycemia. If air quality is poor, inhaling harmful substances during morning runs may cause respiratory problems. In the morning, oxygen concentration in the air is relatively low; therefore, individuals with heart disease may experience angina, myocardial infarction, or even sudden death when running at that time.

The potential risks of morning running generally include hypoglycemia, respiratory diseases, and sudden death.

1. Hypoglycemia

Morning running performed on an empty stomach, or involving prolonged duration or high intensity, can lead to significant consumption of blood glucose, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. For individuals with diabetes, glucose levels may already be lower due to overnight metabolic activity, further increasing the likelihood of hypoglycemia during morning exercise.

2. Respiratory Diseases

The concentration of harmful substances in the air is usually higher in the morning. If air quality is poor, running at this time may result in inhaling large amounts of pollutants, which can irritate or damage the respiratory system and potentially lead to respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, negatively affecting overall health.

3. Sudden Death

Oxygen levels in the air are typically lower in the morning. For individuals with heart conditions, running at this time may increase cardiac workload, worsen myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, and trigger events such as angina or myocardial infarction. In severe cases, this could even lead to sudden death.

It is recommended to have a light meal and rest for a while before engaging in morning running to help prevent hypoglycemia.


Related Articles

View All