What are the benefits and drawbacks of working out?
Sep 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, physical exercise generally enhances cardiorespiratory function, improves muscle strength, regulates metabolic levels, promotes better sleep quality, and helps relieve emotional stress. However, it may also potentially cause sports injuries, excessive fatigue, joint strain, disruption of endocrine balance, and nutritional imbalances. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance.
Generally speaking, fitness training can usually enhance cardiopulmonary function, improve muscle strength, regulate metabolic levels, improve sleep quality, and relieve emotional stress. However, it may also cause exercise-related injuries, lead to excessive fatigue, place strain on joints, disrupt endocrine balance, and cause nutritional imbalances. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance. A detailed explanation is as follows:
I. Benefits
1. Enhance cardiopulmonary function: Regular exercise improves the heart's efficiency in pumping blood, increases pulmonary ventilation, improves circulation and oxygen delivery, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
2. Improve muscle strength: Consistent resistance training over time increases muscle mass and endurance, strengthens bone density, enhances bodily support, and reduces the likelihood of osteoporosis and muscle loss.
3. Regulate metabolic levels: Physical activity promotes energy expenditure, improves insulin sensitivity, helps maintain a stable weight, and keeps metabolic indicators such as blood glucose and lipid levels within a healthy range.
4. Improve sleep quality: Moderate exercise helps expend bodily energy, regulates nervous system excitability, relieves daytime stress, shortens sleep onset time, and enhances sleep depth and stability.
5. Alleviate emotional states: During exercise, the body secretes substances such as endorphins that help relieve anxiety and depression, enhance psychological resilience, and improve overall mental well-being.
II. Drawbacks
1. Cause sports injuries: Inadequate warm-up, improper techniques, or excessive intensity can easily lead to muscle strains, ligament tears, joint sprains, and other injuries that affect normal activities.
2. Lead to excessive fatigue: Prolonged overexertion during workouts keeps the body in a continuous stress state, causing symptoms such as fatigue, low spirits, and decreased immunity, which can ultimately harm health.
3. Place strain on joints: Frequently engaging in high-intensity weight-bearing exercises increases wear and tear on joints such as the knees and hips. Individuals with pre-existing joint issues are especially prone to chronic conditions.
4. Disrupt endocrine balance: Excessive exercise may interfere with hormone secretion, potentially causing menstrual irregularities in women and fluctuations in testosterone levels in men.
5. Cause nutritional imbalances: Failure to timely replenish nutrients such as protein and vitamins after intense physical activity may lead to an imbalance between nutrient consumption and intake, affecting recovery and normal bodily functions.
Fitness training should follow the principle of gradual progression, with reasonable plans tailored to individual conditions. Adequate warm-up before exercise and timely stretching afterward are essential. Avoid blindly pursuing high intensity, ensure a balance between work and rest, and pay attention to proper nutrition. If persistent pain or unusual fatigue occurs, physical activity should be stopped and professional advice sought.
