The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation is cautioning Nigerians about the potential dangers of excessive exercise, highlighting its negative impact on both mental and physical well-being. The foundation emphasizes that while exercise is generally beneficial, pushing the body beyond its limits can be counterproductive and even hazardous.
Rev. Chidiebube Nwachukwu, Executive Director of the Foundation, addressed newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of informed exercise practices. “Undertaking intense workouts without input from qualified sports/physical coaches or health experts could be counterproductive and hazardous,” he stated.
He warned that over-exercising can elevate heart rate, accelerate breathing, and stress the body’s systems, potentially leading to adverse health consequences.
The foundation’s concern stems from the imbalance created by excessive physical exertion. Nwachukwu explained that this imbalance could lead to cellular damage affecting muscles and tissues, ultimately impacting mental health and contributing to feelings of depression and a psychological sense of failure.
“The increased oxygen demand during intense physical activities accelerates free radical production, potentially overwhelming the body’s capacity to neutralise them,” Nwachukwu, a certified emotional intelligence life coach, further explained.
He elaborated on the concept of oxidative stress, stating, “Vigorous exercise can induce oxidative stress, a state in which the body produces an excess of free radicals—unstable molecules capable of damaging cells and tissues. This phenomenon is amplified during intense exertion due to heightened free radical production.”
The detrimental effects of this oxidative stress on mental well-being are significant, according to the Foundation. “Oxidative stress resulting from over-exercising can negatively impact mental health and general well-being, contributing to impaired cognitive function, mood swings, irritability, exhaustion (burnout), and depression,” Nwachukwu cautioned.
The Executive Director reiterated that while exercise is widely recognized as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle, the key lies in moderation. Studies consistently demonstrate that “moderation is key to preventing oxidative stress.”
Beyond mental health implications, Nwachukwu highlighted the physical risks associated with overexertion. “Excessive physical activity may also damage bio-molecules, proteins and lipids, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue,” he concluded, urging Nigerians to approach exercise with informed caution and proper guidance.
