Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, even when you are perfectly still. This feeling of motion is more than simple lightheadedness or general dizziness. Experiencing vertigo during or immediately after physical activity can be alarming, but it often points to temporary physiological changes or mechanical disruptions related to exertion. Understanding the mechanisms behind this sensation is the first step toward managing and preventing its occurrence during your workouts.
Common Physiological Causes Linked to Exertion
One frequent cause of exercise-related dizziness is post-exertional hypotension, which is a rapid drop in blood pressure. During intense exercise, your body increases blood flow to the working muscles, but when you stop suddenly, the blood vessels remain dilated. This temporary mismatch means blood pools in the extremities instead of returning efficiently to the heart and brain, resulting in reduced oxygen delivery to the head.
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance also play a significant role in causing dizziness during physical activity. Sweating depletes both water and essential salts, which decreases your overall blood volume. This lowered fluid volume reduces blood pressure, making it difficult to maintain adequate blood flow to the brain.
The brain relies on glucose as its primary fuel source, and a dip in blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, can cause symptoms that mimic vertigo. During prolonged or high-intensity exercise, muscles rapidly consume glucose. If you have exercised while fasted or have not consumed enough carbohydrates beforehand, your blood glucose levels can plummet, leading to fatigue, shakiness, and a feeling of dizziness.
Improper breathing patterns, such as hyperventilation, can also lead to disequilibrium. When you breathe too quickly or deeply, you exhale an excessive amount of carbon dioxide. This causes the blood vessels in the brain to constrict, temporarily reducing blood flow and oxygen supply, which can result in lightheadedness or vertigo.
Inner Ear and Structural Factors
The inner ear houses the vestibular system, the body’s primary balance center, which is susceptible to disruption from intense movement. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common inner ear condition where intense head movements, such as those found in weightlifting or inverted yoga poses, can dislodge tiny calcium carbonate crystals, called otoconia, from their normal position. These detached crystals float into the fluid-filled semicircular canals, causing an intense, brief spinning sensation when the head is moved into certain positions.
Another mechanical cause is cervicogenic dizziness, which originates from the neck or cervical spine. The neck contains numerous sensory receptors, called proprioceptors, that send information to the brain about head and body position. Strain, poor form when lifting heavy weights, or sudden neck movement can disrupt these signals.
The resulting abnormal sensory input from the neck can conflict with information from the eyes and inner ear, leading to unsteadiness or disequilibrium. This condition is often accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, or a limited range of motion.
Immediate Management During an Episode
If vertigo begins while exercising, immediately stop the activity safely. Immediately sit or lie down to prevent a fall and potential injury. The goal is to stabilize your body and minimize further head movement, which can often intensify the sensation.
While sitting or lying down, focus on slow, controlled, diaphragmatic breathing to regulate your carbon dioxide levels. This helps counteract dizziness caused by hyperventilation and promotes relaxation, as anxiety often worsens vertigo symptoms. Once the spinning subsides, slowly sip water or a sports drink to address potential dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
If you suspect hypoglycemia is a factor, a small source of quick-acting sugar, such as a piece of fruit or a small sip of juice, can help stabilize blood glucose. Do not attempt to stand until the symptoms have fully resolved and you feel completely steady. Getting up too quickly can restart the sensation or increase the risk of a fall.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While many exercise-induced episodes are benign, certain accompanying symptoms warrant immediate medical evaluation. Seek urgent care if vertigo is accompanied by “red flag” symptoms such as chest pain, a sudden, severe headache, double vision, slurred speech, or weakness in an arm or leg. These symptoms could indicate a cardiovascular or neurological event that requires prompt attention.
Consult a doctor if vertigo episodes become increasingly frequent, occur when you are not exercising, or fail to resolve quickly. A persistent feeling of spinning or unsteadiness that lasts for hours or days after the workout may indicate an underlying condition like BPPV, which often requires specific repositioning maneuvers for treatment. Discussing recurring symptoms with a healthcare professional helps rule out serious issues and determine if vestibular or physical therapy is necessary.