The doctor named the main risk of trending "dopamine" exercises

Popular in social networks, "dopamine jumps" can not only not give the claimed effect, but also lead to joint injuries if performed incorrectly. Olga Ulankina, an expert doctor at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about this on April 22.

"Any kind of physical activity can have a positive effect on mood. But talking about individual "dopamine" exercises is more marketing than a medical fact," she noted.

According to the expert, the so-called "dopamine jumps" are ordinary repetitive bounces that create a significant impact load on the musculoskeletal system. The main risk is associated with the effects on the knee joints and Achilles tendon.

The expert stressed that with intensive training without preparation, microtrauma is possible, which accumulates over time and can lead to inflammation. People with excess weight, joint problems and after 35-40 years of age, when tissue elasticity decreases, should be especially careful.

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She added that contraindications include injuries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular pathologies, as well as pregnancy and the postpartum period. According to Ulankina, the lack of warm-up, the promise of a quick effect and the versatility of exercises should be alarming, since such signs are characteristic of potentially traumatic trends.

"As for the scientific evidence, there are no studies specifically on "dopamine jumps." However, the impact of jumping loads in sports has been well studied. They can really be useful, but only with proper training and technique. Otherwise, the risk of injury increases significantly," she added.

On April 9, Mark Ivanov, PhD, said that adults are recommended to devote 150-300 minutes a week to moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, or 75-150 minutes of intense exercise, such as running. He also noted the importance of strength exercises at least once or twice a week, such as push-ups and squats. According to him, a guideline of 10,000 steps is useful, but with low activity it is worth starting with lower indicators, gradually increasing the load.