Thread: Squats and light headedness

Hey Gly,
You know.. I get it now, but I think because I've been very inconsistant the last few weeks with training. So when I squat even light weight for reps, I do get light headed but I don't remember getting it when I squatted heavy every week routinely.
This has been going on for a year? If its only happening when you squat, I personally wouldn't be worring much over it but if it happens all the time, like just standing up.. I would see a doctor. Maybe get a physical anyway, just for the hell of it. Ya know? Better safe, than sorry.

Originally Posted by FMJ

Hey Gly,
You know.. I get it now, but I think because I've been very inconsistant the last few weeks with training. So when I squat even light weight for reps, I do get light headed but I don't remember getting it when I squatted heavy every week routinely.
This has been going on for a year? If its only happening when you squat, I personally wouldn't be worring much over it but if it happens all the time, like just standing up.. I would see a doctor. Maybe get a physical anyway, just for the hell of it. Ya know? Better safe, than sorry.

Yeah I'm due for a good physical. My BP has been up a little the last month or so. Not real bad, about 135/85. No other time really does it happen not even heavy deads, although I have Menier's disease which causes vertigo. Thanks for your response!

Sometimes a short pause and a couple of deep breaths helps me in-between reps.

Originally Posted by MDR

Sometimes a short pause and a couple of deep breaths helps me in-between reps.

This is what I do. ^^^^^ Squats get me more out of wind than running a mile and I inhale down exhale up. I would imagine its just lack of oxygen momentarily.

Originally Posted by Work IN Progress

This is what I do. ^^^^^ Squats get me more out of wind than running a mile and I inhale down exhale up. I would imagine its just lack of oxygen momentarily.

I wonder if it's a pressure normalization thing. Imagine the BP with 400 lbs on your back going into the full squat. I imagine the body has top really dilate the vessels to drop the pressure as much as possible. Then you put the bar down and the body takes a minute or two to constrict the vessels again. So for a few moments the pressure is to low and one gets light headed. I also get winded like I just ran 1/2 dozen sprints real quick. Squats are no fucking joke. That exercise makes your body do some crazy things. I get very anabolic the day after or so. I don't even hate doing them and look forward to it. Just he light light headedness worries me. Hope I don't blow something out.

When doing a heavy lift like squats, you are temporarily depriving the brain of oxygen because of descreased blood flow, which explains your light headedness. It's no biggie and it happens to me all the time. It's prob the only time my BP is low. lol.

Originally Posted by ANIMALHOUSE

When doing a heavy lift like squats, you are temporarily depriving the brain of oxygen because of descreased blood flow, which explains your light headedness. It's no biggie and it happens to me all the time. It's prob the only time my BP is low. lol.

You're bass ackwards.

J Sci Med Sport. 2011 Jan 7. [Epub ahead of print]
The blood pressure response of older men to maximum and sub-maximum strength testing.

Lovell DI, Cuneo R, Gass GC.

School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science, Health & Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4556, Australia.
Abstract

Strength testing is commonly used to determine the muscular strength of older individuals participating in a resistance training program. The purpose of this study was to non-invasively examine and compare the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) response of maximum and sub-maximum strength tests in older men. Twenty-four healthy men aged 70-80yr were recruited for the study. Participants completed a 1 repetition maximum (RM) strength test and four days later a sub-maximum strength test on an incline squat. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HR were measured by plethysmography during and immediately after the strength tests. SBP, DBP and HR were (P<0.001) higher during the 1RM and sub-maximum strength tests compared to resting values. Twenty seconds post 1RM, SBP and HR were higher than resting values. Twenty seconds post sub-maximum strength testing SBP and DBP were lower (P<0.02) and HR (P<0.001) was higher than resting values. SBP, DBP and HR were higher (P<0.001) during sub-maximum strength testing compared to 1RM testing. Twenty seconds post testing, SBP and DBP were lower (P<0.001) and HR was higher (P<0.001) for the sub-maximum strength tests compared to the 1RM. The results of our study demonstrate that sub-maximum strength testing resulted in greater changes in BP and HR compared to 1RM strength testing. The lower cardiovascular stress experienced during the 1RM shows that this may be a safer method of testing compared to sub-maximum strength testing in men aged 70-80yr.

How am I bass ackwards?

Originally Posted by ANIMALHOUSE

How am I bass ackwards?

Because heavy lifting increases both blood pressure and circulation during the activity. The cause of the light hotheadedness is due to your muscles sucking the oxygen out of your blood, not a decrease in blood pressure.

From what I am reading the pressure goes way up under the load and then temporarily drops below baseline after removal of the load. I'm sure O2 depletion is in there too. So low pressure and depleted O2 probably equals a light head and maybe vomit.

Originally Posted by ANIMALHOUSE

How am I bass ackwards?

Let's put a cuff on you and measure your BP in a full squat with say 4 plates a side. I say your head turns very red and your BP measures systolic well into the 200s.

Originally Posted by KelJu

Because heavy lifting increases both blood pressure and circulation during the activity. The cause of the light hotheadedness is due to your muscles sucking the oxygen out of your blood, not a decrease in blood pressure.

Please re-read what I typed...
"you are temporarily depriving the brain of oxygen because of descreased blood flow, which explains your light headedness"
Your head/brain is deprived of oxygen, which is carried through blood because of the heavy load in your legs. Outcome? light headed

Originally Posted by Glycomann

Let's put a cuff on you and measure your BP in a full squat with say 4 plates a side. I say your head turns very red and your BP measures systolic well into the 200s.

I was being totally sarcastic about having low BP during squats. I've had my nose bleed like virgin doing heavy lifts like bench, caused by dangerously HIGH levels of BP.

Originally Posted by ANIMALHOUSE

I was being totally sarcastic about having low BP during squats. I've had my nose bleed like virgin doing heavy lifts like bench, caused by dangerously HIGH levels of BP.

Damn bro get on some diovan before you blow a kidney!

Originally Posted by ANIMALHOUSE

I was being totally sarcastic about having low BP during squats. I've had my nose bleed like virgin doing heavy lifts like bench, caused by dangerously HIGH levels of BP.

Hence all the confusion about what you were saying. I thought you were being serious as well...

Originally Posted by Glycomann

Damn bro get on some diovan before you blow a kidney!

HAHAHA. I might have been running multiple compounds a wee bit over the "normal" dosages.