That fainting feeling: what causes it?

[arjuna]

I'm sure that everyone has experienced that feeling of lightheadedness, like you're about to pass out, after a hard set of squats, deadlifts, or cleans. Everything seems swimmy, it's like you're almost tripping :havoc: ...though not as much fun.

So what causes that? theories:
1. lack of blood to the brain. It's going to the muscles just worked.
2. low blood sugar. ie. blood glucose.
3. low blood oxygen level.
4. High CO2 blood level.
5. Psychosomatic effect.
6. Something totally different.

Just curious how I can avoid passing out face first and crashing into a stack of weights....would rather not reduce intensity.

Thoughts?

 

[epimetheus]

Possible that it is low oxygen. Seems reasonable anyhow.

 

[Imnotdutch]

I think that its lack of oxygen......when you do the lifts you describe its normal for people to hold their breath- which helps to maintain internal pressure. So the combination of not breathing and straining leads to lack of oxygen in a hurry.

In any case, it wont be option 1......the body sends blood to the major organs as a priority. Muscles don't take priority over the brain.

Option 2 can't be right else you would get the same feeling from using higher rep sets......which isn't always the case.

Just my 2c.

I'm sure that everyone has experienced that feeling of lightheadedness, like you're about to pass out, after a hard set of squats, deadlifts, or cleans. Everything seems swimmy, it's like you're almost tripping :havoc: ...though not as much fun.

So what causes that? theories:
1. lack of blood to the brain. It's going to the muscles just worked.
2. low blood sugar. ie. blood glucose.
3. low blood oxygen level.
4. High CO2 blood level.
5. Psychosomatic effect.
6. Something totally different.

Just curious how I can avoid passing out face first and crashing into a stack of weights....would rather not reduce intensity.

Thoughts?

 

[epimetheus]

Re: Re: That fainting feeling: what causes it?

In any case, it wont be option 1......the body sends blood to the major organs as a priority. Muscles don't take priority over the brain.

I don't know, when blood is sent to MY organ, I get dizzy on occasion..

 

[Imnotdutch]

Re: Re: Re: That fainting feeling: what causes it?

I don't know, when blood is sent to MY organ, I get dizzy on occasion..

Well you might not consider that a major organ but I sure as hell do .

 

[makedah]

This page has some interesting info...
http://www.mdadvice.com/library/sport/sport25.html

 

[gettinlarger]

fainting or dizziness is medically referred to as vertigo ... which is caused by several things. could be something wrong with the brain itself; neurons, but i highly doubt that. you could have somerthing wrong with one of your ears. have them checked. they are the most important organ in your body, IMO. not only do they allow you to hear, but theyre extremely important in keeping your ass standing (i.e. without them, you cannot balance yourself.

 

[Lumberg]

A sudden decrease in blood pressure, which temporarily deprives the brain of blood. The drop in blood pressure may result from:

Pooled blood in the extremities caused by a long run.
[bold]Prolonged straining, such as from lifting heavy weights, coughing forcefully or attempting bowel movements when constipated. [/bold]
Sudden emotional stress.
[bold]Standing after squatting (orthostatic hypotension). This is quite likely in weight-lifting when also holding breath ("weight-lifter's blackout.") [/bold]


Interesting.

 

[bigdelt69]

What about latic acid buildup?

 

[makedah]

Interesting.

told ya!

 

[Complete Muscle]

What about latic acid buildup?

Nahhh...

A sudden decrease in blood pressure...

Yup

 

[vtec96]

humm... i personally thought it was the opposite....I thought it was HIGH Blood pressure from the heavy squat that caused it!
I though when you lifted real heavy, that this would increase your BP really high and since your not used to it, you get dizzy/lightheaded? Thats what I heard...
btw, when i SQ, on my heaviest sets, i feel it 1-2 times after those sets...

 

[arjuna]

It seems that the consensus is low blood pressure

Thanks for the answers. It seems that the consensus is low blood pressure...like when you get up too fast.

Any Fighter/Acrobatic pilots on this board? Is the "Weight lifter's blackout" the same as those high-G manuvers where blood pools in the lower body? It would be interesting to know.

Maybe someone can rig one of those pressurized flight suits onto the squat rack. As soon as you re-rack the bar, the suit inflates. Presto, no more blackout! hehehe.