yawning while exercising?

Everytime I get my heart rate up to a certain point, I start to yawn uncontrollably.  It's just awful.  While running, I have to stop to yawn sometimes every 20 paces or so.  It gets better after the first few miles, but never goes away completely.

I thought this might be just a running thing, but after joining the gym I've noticed that it happens on all the cardio machines.  Argh!  It's even happened in the pool recently!

Anyone know how to make it go away?  I've tried deep breathing; in through the nose, out through the mouth (usually feel like I'm suffocating when I do); abdominal exercises; and an asthma inhaler. 

It also happens regardless of whether or not I've had a good night's sleep.

Any ideas?  Anyone?  Pleeeease??

Wow, apparently you are not alone. Here's an article about yawning while exercising.

http://www2.prevention.com/cda/article/a-yawn ing-problem/9c69d08f88803110VgnVCM20000012281 eac____/fitness/fitness.coaches/ask.selene/

I also have a bit of a yawning problem. I don't run or jog, only walk, and sometimes swim, and it isn't so much of problem then, but when climbing stairs or going up hills I really start yawning, or if any kind of room with poor ventilation. (which really sucks in seminars and lectures because it looks like I'm not interested, or tired, but really I'm fine, just yawning.)

But since I've always yawned more than average (even in highschool) I don't know whether I should be worried or not.

if somebody does have something that helps, please let me know.

Have you tried stretching before you do all of your cardio activites.  I know it seems like a no brainer, but maybe the extra 10minutes before hand will help get the oxygen flowing quicker and elviate some of the yawning issues.

It's reassuring that there are others out there...thanks a lot for the article. 

I talked to my doctor about it, as the article suggests, and he told me I had sports-induced asthma.  But the puffer doesn't change a thing and the reflex isn't climate-sensitive like most asthma symptoms. 

I was beginning to think it was purely psychological, which doesn't change anything, but it gives me something to work with. 

I thought that stretching before sports was a no-no?  Like, you're not supposed to stretch out a muscle before making it work(?)  My trainer at the gym and my tri coach both said never to stretch before effort.  I like the idea, but if it could cause injury...well, that would suck.  Thanks anyway for the suggestion; it makes sense.

Hmm, more research is in order here, I think...

Sounds like sports induced asthma like your doctor said.  some of the first signs are excessive yawning or coughing while exercising. Just keep an eye on it and keep on working out and you may be able to ovecome it somewhat.  

Try working on your technique.  You yawn when your body thinks that you aren't getting enough oxygen, its to get a larger amount of oxygen in quicker and more deeply, so working on your breathing technique and making sure that you have a decent and continuous supply of oxygen and you should see your yawning frequency decrease.

I play a wind instrument and whenever my teacher has me do deep breathing as a warmup i yawn uncontrollably.  Then the other day in pilates I noticed I started to yawn during the deep breathing.  So I would try not gasping for breath and try consciously controlling your breath in and out over four counts while doing cardio.  And while you want a deep breath, I would say try not to fill up as much as possible because that seems to be when I need to yawn.

i find myself yawning during running too, though it may be the severe lack of sleep.

stretching before excersise is extremely important! if you dont you can damage muscles and tear ligaments.

what you need to do first is warm up, light excersise for a few minutes such as a short jog and jumping jacks. then you need to stretch out.

i have always throughout my life (19 now) warmed up and stretched before any significant physical activity, if i dont i usually feel sluggish and grow tired easier. if ive stretched properly i can run longer, tire less quickly and feel better afterwards.

Weird. I found the information in this post (and article) fascinating, but couldn't stop yawning while reading it all. Thinking about yawning makes me yawn! Yes, it does seem to be a very mysterious action.

I yawned two times while reading this thread and yes, I remember I used to yawn while exercising, especially when doing strength training. But I realize that I do not yawn these days....could be due to a warm up cardio I do before the strength training exercises.

Must...not....yawn....

LOL i alwaysssssssssss yawn when im doing cardio always! its kind of embarassing sometimes, cuz im walking fast or w.e and all of a sudden im yawning!

I don't yawn during all exercise, but I always yawn during yoga class!  I think that in some of those positions, I just can't get a deep enough breath.  I can't try to stretch my head to my knees and breathe at the same time.  To much tummy and boobs!

I had the same problem and went to the Vitamin Shoppe and the lady told me that it sounds like a circulation problem, which I do have so she told me to take some 'Inositol' ... it helped alot, I mean really it could be the placebo affect BUT I have been slowly down on taking it, and yawned today right before my workout..but I also didn't get a good nights sleep... look into it, it may help... it did for me and I think it's just a form of a B-Vitamin... 

I know I tend to yawn while exercising if my blood sugar is low...maybe that has something to do with it?

I used to yawn all the time until I quit smoking. Haven't yawned since or were it was a bother.

 

Original Post by skinny_kitty:

Everytime I get my heart rate up to a certain point, I start to yawn uncontrollably.  It's just awful.  While running, I have to stop to yawn sometimes every 20 paces or so.  It gets better after the first few miles, but never goes away completely.

I thought this might be just a running thing, but after joining the gym I've noticed that it happens on all the cardio machines.  Argh!  It's even happened in the pool recently!

Anyone know how to make it go away?  I've tried deep breathing; in through the nose, out through the mouth (usually feel like I'm suffocating when I do); abdominal exercises; and an asthma inhaler. 

It also happens regardless of whether or not I've had a good night's sleep.

Any ideas?  Anyone?  Pleeeease??

Original Post by skinny_kitty:

Everytime I get my heart rate up to a certain point, I start to yawn uncontrollably.  It's just awful.  While running, I have to stop to yawn sometimes every 20 paces or so.  It gets better after the first few miles, but never goes away completely.

I thought this might be just a running thing, but after joining the gym I've noticed that it happens on all the cardio machines.  Argh!  It's even happened in the pool recently!

Anyone know how to make it go away?  I've tried deep breathing; in through the nose, out through the mouth (usually feel like I'm suffocating when I do); abdominal exercises; and an asthma inhaler. 

It also happens regardless of whether or not I've had a good night's sleep.

Any ideas?  Anyone?  Pleeeease??

YES! me! I do exactly the same thing and I thought it was just me!  As soon as I start on a cardio machine I start yawning HEAPS.  Even if I go for a fast paced walk outside.  I am seeing a trainer at the mo and she thinks I am weird.  As soon as I start doing the weights machines as well, if I am working quite hard I get very tired, my eyes want to close and I feel like going to sleep. This is very different to feeling light headed or dizzy from exercise, its not that all, its like a yawning, sleepy feeling, and my eyes want to close.  Its so weird!