# Sudden Exertion **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974 "2003-12-04T17:31:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hauss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5fc32e/32.png) [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974/1 "2003-12-04T17:31:26Z")
I have been doing PT for my fire academy class recently, so I have been wondering: What are the specific health risks of being at a resting heart rate one minute (sometimes for a whole day or two of no exertion) and then full exertion the next minute? I am 22 and in good shape, so I know I am probably not going to collapse, but sometimes I really feel like I am straining my system by not warming up before hoisting that 220lb. dummy in full protective gear (it’s hot!). We usually warm up, but frequently we don’t. Are these occasional times worth mentioning something to someone? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2003, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974/2 "2003-12-05T04:51:23Z")
Being 22 and “in good shape” is no guarantee. [Heart trouble blamed for most sudden deaths of young athletes](http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/local/7036375.htm) > [@](#): > > Heart problems are the leading cause of sudden deaths among athletes younger than 25, according to a doctor from the University Interscholastic League’s Medical Advisory Committee. > > Craig Boatwright, a 17-year-old football player who had planned to play at Texas Christian University, was pronounced dead after he collapsed while running at Everman High School early Thursday morning. The cause of death has not been determined, but school officials said Boatwright was in excellent health. > > \< snip \> > > Heart problems have been blamed in several recent high school student-athlete deaths. > > In 2001, a Houston football player died of an enlarged heart, just one day after a Luling football player died of a suspected cardiac arrest. In November 2001, a Pasadena Dobie basketball player collapsed and died during a game. In August 2002, a DeSoto track athlete collapsed and died after jogging two miles. > > Fifteen football players died in the United States last season, down from 23 in 2001, according to a University of North Carolina study. None of the deaths in 2002 was from heatstroke. “Occasional times” of what, Hauss? Tightness in your chest? Pain in your chest, even just a twinge? Pain/twinges down your arm? Those “occasional times” are Mother Nature trying to boot your little heinie down to the doctor’s office for a treadmill stress test (they’re fun, you’ll love it.) ---
**Author:** ![hauss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5fc32e/32.png) [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974/3 "2003-12-12T22:01:16Z")
**DDG** : I have felt nothing serious at all, no pain or dizziness, anything. I am just asking if this could _cause_ the problems you are talking about. For example, do all these kids die every year from the things I have to do every once in a while. The feelings I was talking about are extreme, rapid, bounding heart rate, very very hot, and extreme exertion and fatigue for short periods of time. Are these feelings making me stronger or weaker? Is a human supposed to adapt to this, or are is it abuse? I know soft tissue (connective tissue) doesn’t enjoy these sudden exertions, but I am asking mainly about the circulatory system. Sudden increases in blood pressure, sudden oxygen-debt and the brain’s reaction, ect. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974/4 "2003-12-13T04:26:59Z")
> [@](#): > > For example, do all these kids die every year from the things I have to do every once in a while. No, but I’ll tell you who _does_ die from the kind of sudden exertion you’re describing–people of all ages who have hitherto unsuspected heart conditions, and who do nothing more than shovel snow off a sidewalk for a few minutes, and who then collapse and die. > [@](#): > > Is a human supposed to adapt to this Short answer–no. The normal response to exercise such as picking up a 220 lb. dummy and carrying it around is a slightly increased pulse (not thudding palpitations), slightly increased respiration (not gasping), and slight fatigue (not exhaustion). If all you’re doing is picking up a heavy dummy and carrying it, and it’s causing you to have a pounding heart, gasping for breath, and sudden exhaustion, this is not normal. It’s not “abuse” as such, your exercise as such might not be causing the symptoms–instead you may have an underlying condition that’s causing it. Could be something as simple as thyroid or vitamin deficiency, or anemia, or something like that. It doesn’t _have_ to be some kind of major heart defect. And of course it might be nothing more than a lack of regular exercise (“out of shape”), which makes you more tired from the little exercise you get from hoicking a 220 lb. dummy up onto your back than you would be if you were accustomed to doing physical labor like this. See a doctor to find out, eh? ---
**Author:** ![hauss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5fc32e/32.png) [@hauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hauss)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974/5 "2003-12-13T05:10:58Z")
**DDG** : Hauling around a dummy in full gear (with only your face to dissipate heat) _on your knees_ after hammering a sled, toting hose up/down four flights, pulling wood blocks, and push-ups is no walk in the park! Except for you maybe… I respect your concern, but all the boys are huffin’ just like me, so I guess we all have something wrong with us (vitamin deficiencies, anemia, ect)! I feel great after the workouts, but I think we all still have to get used to working hard in the gear. We’re still only 2 months in… By the way, I’ve been to a doc, that’s one of the things we have to do to get in… Just so you know, I was asking for knowledge about studies done on overall health of subjects regularly subjected to high levels of exertion with an originally low heart rate. That kind of thing is impossible to search for, so I ask here. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-exertion/216974/6 "2003-12-13T06:28:46Z")
Maybe try searching under something like “astronaut training”?