AND A long -standing dilemma that affects all those who start doing sports: Does cellulite actually increase in these cases or is it just an impression? Because if it is true that many women do not notice particular changes, others instead highlight an increase in orange peel, especially on the legs. But is it really the case? “In fact, yes, it can happen and the factors are different. It does not depend on the type of sport started but on how the muscles react to sports activitiesespecially if they are not already trained »explains the Dr. Laura Mazzotta, aesthetic doctor specialist in preventive hygiene and clinical nutrition In Ferrara at the Poliambulatorio Aesthe Medica and Aura in Milan at the Ripamonti Medical Center. Let’s see clarity.
Cellulite and sports, why can a worsening occur?
Very frequent question among women, when you start a new physical activity, especially if it has been a long time that has not been moved, There is the feeling that cellulite, especially on the legs, increases. But is it just a feeling or is there something true below? “This perception is not entirely unfounded, but must be understood within a wider picture. When you take a new sporting path, the body responds with a series of physiological adaptations. The muscles, subjected to a greater effort, tend to retain liquids and generate micro -inflammations. It is a completely normal phenomenon that also manifests itself with muscle pain in the days following training. Own This temporary water retention can make cellulite seem to have increased Or that the skin is less uniform »begins to explain Dr. Mazzotta.
A phenomenon that also accompanies the change of body composition. If on the one hand it is true that i muscles begin to tone the adipose tissue on the other has not been reduced enough. So skin irregularities become more evident. And this phenomenon is evident above all on the thighs and buttocks but also on the hips. «This impression is therefore not just a feeling e It occurs especially in the first weeks of training. However, it must be emphasized that This phase is transient And they reflect the natural body adaptation processes to a new stimulus. To this is added the change in body composition: muscle toning does not proceed hand in hand with the decrease in fattythus creating a visual effect of this type. It is important to underline that This phenomenon does not concern all women in the same way: it depends on age, type of training, genetics, hormones and hydration level. Some may not notice any negative variation, others can experience this effect in a more marked way ».
What happens to the body when you start regular physical activity?
As already explained, when you start a workout if the muscles They are not used to suffer physiological microtraumas, “breaking” at the microscopic level and then recompacting themselves in a stronger way. To this are also added two other factors: «The dilation of the capillaries and the increase in vascular permeability during physical effort which facilitates the exchange of oxygen and nutrients and also promotes the escape of liquids in the interstitial space, with consequent water retention. This mechanism, albeit temporary, accentuates swelling and makes skin irregularities more marked. Finally, it must be considered that each body reacts differently. Some women are genetically predisposed to a slower lymphatic circulation or greater sensitivity to estrogen, hormones that influence the distribution of fat and water retention. In these people, the adaptation phase can be longer and the most marked aesthetic effect. It is therefore a set of factors – inflammation, retention, muscle changes and personal preparation – to explain why cellulite may seem worse with sportdespite being only a temporary step towards a future improvement ».
What if I had the wrong sport?
It is very easy to think so, the doubt often comes, however, as the expert explains, it is not possible. In fact, there is no sport that causes cellulite: «Any movement, if performed regularly and correctly, brings benefits to the body. However, Some disciplines can temporarily accentuate the symptomsespecially if they are not balanced or if they are practiced without graduality. For example, high impact activities such as running on hard soils can increase mechanical stress on joints and tissues, favoring water retention and inflammation. At the same time, programs exclusively based on muscle toning only, without an aerobic part, can make the muscles more evident Under an adipose layer still present, with a less harmonious aesthetic effect ».
Some women have a naturally weaker connective tissue and a much slower venous and lymphatic return. These two factors that already naturally prepare for the appearance of cellulite, regardless of the sport practiced. Without then counting the Estrogen that “influence the distribution of fat and the tendency to water retention. The daily lifestyle weighs very much: a diet rich in sugars and salt, excessive alcohol consumption, smoke or simply spending many hours sessions are factors that hinder the benefits of sport ».
In short, when it comes to the relationship between cellulite and sport it is never easy. It is not enough to practice a sporting activity, it is a set of factors to be taken into consideration.
What are the remedies
Sport is among the remedies to start mitigating cellulite but it is not the only one, a very precise context is needed. In addition, the ideal is of Alternate aerobic activities with toning exercises so as to improve circulation, burn fat and make the skin more compact. The movement also has a direct effect on the lymphatic system, favoring the drainage of liquids and reducing the swelling that often accentuates the appearance of cellulite.
«Next Food plays a fundamental role. A balanced diet helps to keep body weight stable and reduce the accumulation of fat in the tissues. It is good to limit the excess of sugars, refined carbohydrates, very salty and alcohol foods, which favor water retention and inflammation. You don’t have to forget the hydration: drinking enough water is a simple but decisive gesture To maintain the microcirculation efficient and promote the elimination of toxins. It is also essential to remember that cellulite develops and accentuates also due to the poor oxygenation of the tissues and the stagnation of liquids. That’s why good habits make the difference. As well as Avoid sitting for a long time without moving, wearing too tight clothes or too high heels, and taking care of the skin with simple draining automones or with suitable creamswhich do not miracles but help to improve microcirculation. In more complex cases, relying on targeted medical-aesthetic treatments can represent a valid support, provided that they are included in a personalized path and guided by a specialist “concludes the expert.