Can Exercising Affect Your Abdominal System for a Woman?

When you adopt a new fitness routine, you probably want to strengthen your abs and trim fat. But it's not just your abdominal muscles that are affected. Exercise affects your body chemistry and can stress your body -- and some people experience abdominal upset and gastrointestinal problems during or after an exercise routine.

  1. Common Problems

    • Exercise can cause your abdominal area to cramp up, resulting in a feeling of heaviness and pinching, usually on only one side of your stomach. Some people also experience nausea, heartburn and generalized gastrointestinal upset. While it's possible to vomit or develop diarrhea during exercise, it's not normal for exercise to cause these symptoms, and if you have them you need to call your doctor.

    Causes of Abdominal Issues

    • Your nutritional status can play a major role in stomach problems during exercise. Eating a heavy meal immediately before you exercise can be a bad idea, as the movement of exercise can irritate sensitive stomachs. Similarly, dehydration can cause you to feel nauseous. It's also possible that if you pull a muscle deep in your abdomen, the pain could feel like a gastrointestinal problem.

    The Role of Illness

    • Some illnesses, such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, increase your risk of experiencing stomach problems during an exercise routine. Your stomach difficulties could also be unrelated to exercise and merely occur during your workout out of sheer coincidence. Food allergies, food poisoning and some medications can all contribute to stomach pain, so if the pain persists or interferes with your daily life, it's time to call your doctor.

    Preventing Abdominal Discomfort

    • Warming up for five to 10 minutes before you exercise can decrease your risk of injuries by getting your muscles ready to work. Eat a light meal an hour or two before your workout, focusing on carbs to give you energy rather than high-acid foods that can cause indigestion. Drink plenty of water before you work out, and continue drinking water as you begin to sweat to prevent dehydration.