When i exercise why do I get out of breath so fast?!
Question: Dear Maria,
While there are a number of reasons that someone gets out of breath when exercising, the one that effects you will be based on your age, health and fitness.
Most young people get out of breath when they exercise too long and there is an insufficiency of oxygen in the blood stream. However, lung capacity has a lot to do with the efficiency of exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide in your lungs.
As we age, our bodies lose some of their efficiency and tone so older people usually get out of breath sooner than younger.
Fitness can effect both lung capacity and efficiency. If you are usually sedentary, exercise will, at first, leave you breathless in a fairly short time. But as you continue to exercise, your stamina will build up. And you will be able to exercise longer and longer.
Weight can also effect your body's ability to exercise. If you carry, say 20 pounds with you, it will be more difficult for you to run a mile than if you run carrying nothing at all. Some fat is healthy, but a lot is not. Take a look at your body. If you have a waistline that is distinct and there is no fat hanging over your belt, you have nothing to worry about vis a vis obesity.
Finally, the type of exercise will determine how fast you become breathless. More vigorous exercises like cross country skiing take more effort and you become tired more quickly until you have practiced yourself into shape.
I hope that this puts your mind at rest about yourself.
Tiger Toy
Answers: Dear Maria,
While there are a number of reasons that someone gets out of breath when exercising, the one that effects you will be based on your age, health and fitness.
Most young people get out of breath when they exercise too long and there is an insufficiency of oxygen in the blood stream. However, lung capacity has a lot to do with the efficiency of exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide in your lungs.
As we age, our bodies lose some of their efficiency and tone so older people usually get out of breath sooner than younger.
Fitness can effect both lung capacity and efficiency. If you are usually sedentary, exercise will, at first, leave you breathless in a fairly short time. But as you continue to exercise, your stamina will build up. And you will be able to exercise longer and longer.
Weight can also effect your body's ability to exercise. If you carry, say 20 pounds with you, it will be more difficult for you to run a mile than if you run carrying nothing at all. Some fat is healthy, but a lot is not. Take a look at your body. If you have a waistline that is distinct and there is no fat hanging over your belt, you have nothing to worry about vis a vis obesity.
Finally, the type of exercise will determine how fast you become breathless. More vigorous exercises like cross country skiing take more effort and you become tired more quickly until you have practiced yourself into shape.
I hope that this puts your mind at rest about yourself.
Tiger Toy
You might have "iron-poor blood".
Vitamins for women may help, or you could talk to your doctor to track down other possibilities.