Fitness - My Aching Lungs

If you've just started a running program, either out on the open road, in the gym, or at home on your treadmill, have you had a tight feeling in your chest? Sometimes, after a hard workout , your chest might feel sore, and there is a simple reason for this pain that is more than likely nothing to worry about.

What you're probably feeling is the result of oxygen dept. Your body, during your workout, isn't getting enough oxygen, which causes the muscles surrounding your lungs (especially your diaphram), to become flush with lactic acid.

Every time you exercise, your body produces lactic acid. Lactic acid is the waste product your muscles produce during a workout. Normally, much of the lactic acid is removed rapidly when the exercise session is done, usually with in 20-30 minutes, with your muscles and liver metabolizing it either as lactic acid or lactate.

Your lungs and diaphram work closely together. Your diaphram separates your chest from your abdominal region, and expands your lungs so that they fill with air. If you're not used to aerobic exercise, just like any other exercise, your diaphram might be out of shape for this type of exertion. And, like the rest of the muscles in your body - this muscle can be trained too!

How do you train your diaphram? Simple. Keep exercising! Just like any other exercise program - start slow, and build up to longer and harder workouts. Keep exercising to develop your aerobic conditioning - and the "burn" should dissapear. And, at any time you feel that you might be feeling something more than just "burning muscles" - seek medical care to make sure everthing is OK.