TCM advice on high intensity workouts

As mentioned in previous posting about TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) view on high intensity exercises, I shall elaborate a bit more here. But before that, just to state a disclaimer; I am not a TCM practitioner. All information posted here are based on my personal read ups and information given by TCM specialists. Please feel free to consult a qualified specialist should you need any clarifications.

TCM does recommend exercise as a way to keep the body fit and healthy. However, high intensity may not be recommended. Do note that there are many types of exercises. The common best recommended types of exercises are gentle low impact exercises like walking, Taichi, stretching etc.. Any exercises that are performed at an intensity that is way too much for the body to handle can hurt the body. In TCM, it is common that the five main organs comes into the picture, namely: Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney, Liver. Doing high intensity exercises can put stress and strain on any of these organs. The lower scale of consequence will be bodily pain and discomfort; I'm sure any exercisers here have ever experience certain discomfort symptoms after participating in exercises, especially after heavy intense ones (Eg. Joint pain, heartburn, muscle ache, insomnia, flu etc). On the higher scale of consequence, death could be the result too. I'm sure we have read so much news of people collapsing and died after participating in some high intensity workouts. My most recent impression is a marathon runner upon completion of the race collapse with foam in mouth. Although western medicine offers its explanation due to certain conditions like 'Heart murmur', TCM definitely have its advice on the consequence when one work the body to the extreme.

The next thing to mention will be the outcome of excessive sweat production from exercise. In TCM, sweat is transformed by Yang Qi evaporating body fluids, which emerges out of the body through sweat pore. Do note bodily fluids means also fluids like blood. While normal sweating helps regulate and harmonize the internal and external body, excessive sweating depletes bodily fluids and blood, and this cause internal disturbance to the body.

Another simple way to offer TCM view; High Intensity Exercises = waste of energy. In TCM, we always talked about Qi, which is energy that flows through. We always strive to have a healthy and balanced flow of Qi, which is the important ingredient to leading an active life. Lack of exercise/movement will lead to stagnated Qi, which thus leads to an imbalance flow in our body. Similarly, extreme exercising is risky and lead to irregularities in the flow of qi, and the waste of vital energy will always be hard to compensate back for in the body. While hardcore exercisers and athletes may look fit and healthy, they are also prone to injuries and infection. Also when we trace back to ancient days of China, the patients that normally visits the Chinese doctors are mainly laborers engaged in hard physical work; Eg. Farmers, Craftsmen.

With this, you may wanna consider looking at health and fitness from another angle. The ancient Chinese way of promoting good health with moderate exercises definitely differs a lot from our current contexts, and may not get you to look like those hot magazine models, but will surely have a positive impact on our overall well-being.