Rolling...

[swan104]

I've started to do a bit more grappling. In each class, we do a bit of rolling near the end. It's a good workout, but my stamina is good enough so I'm not completely f*cked and out of breath. However, when the class finishes, I find that I'm a bit light-headed and have a slight headache afterwards. Is that the norm?

If I was getting choked out every 2 minutes, then I can understand, but I'm not so I'm assuming it's to do with my general conditioning?

[Lizard]

If when you roll you put weight on your head then it would explain your symptoms, also rolling around might be interefereing with your sense of balance. I don't think there is anything to worry about.

[Tom Yum]

Swan, how is your blood pressure? One of the symptoms of hypertension (related to high bp) is dizziness, head aches and blurred vision.

These symptoms can also be due to overworking yourself. Pop by the chemist to check out your bp.

[Hakoko]

Deifinitely normal to feel light headed. It used to happen to me all of the time, coupled with the feeling of nausea and occasional vomit

[swan104]

My brother had similar symptoms in the past. A few years back, he was getting headaches constantly, and the reason for that was due to slightly high blood pressure. At the time, he wasn't active at all, and never exercised. Once he found out about that, he joined a gym!

I had my BP checked about 18 months ago as a mandatory check-up before joining the gym, and the guy said I was fine. I'm more active now than I was then so I'm assuming the light-headedness is from lying on my back and rolling about. Maybe it's to do with blood circulation.

I think I should concentrate on maintaining a mount!

[Thai Bri]

I got it too. Its all the tension (not that there should be much, but I'm no super expert grappler). I wouldn't worry about it. I used to pop a couple of ibruprofen before the class and feel ok.

[JaredExtreme]

Also, remember to keep HYDRATED!!! BJJ makes you sweat a lot, so make sure to sip enough water, but not gulp it down which will result in a cramp.

[MrPoopy]

Back when I was doing BJJ it would take a very long time for me to cool down after rolling. And I wasn't safe behind the wheel of a car for about half an hour or more because my mind would wonder off. Never really got light headed.

[CHOKE UK]

Originally posted by Thai Bri
I got it too. Its all the tension (not that there should be much, but I'm no super expert grappler). I wouldn't worry about it. I used to pop a couple of ibruprofen before the class and feel ok.

I'd agrre with Thai,
although I have not experienced it,
The nrevouse tension of Rolling,
or freefighting, can put a strain on the system,
and takes getting used to.

If the Rolloing is very realistic,
in otherwords, carry on til someone submits,
and you have say 10 fights per lesson,
then it is a hugh strain on the body,
physically and sometimes even moreso mentally.
The mental side is often overlooked.
Everybody that I have ever known,
has days when they feel edgy, and uncomfortable. whist in hard contact trainning.

I have a theory about this but wont go into it now !

A headache and dizziness can be attributed to tension and or blood pressure.

Only people who roll will appreciate,
then tensions applied during engagement.

But even when we feel bad,
instead of stopping,
we tend to - keep them wagons "rolling" !
(until we end up with a "rawhide" )!

[swan104]

Tension could be a factor. Come to think of it, I know I am quite tense when rolling. It's a good physical workout on the body, and I know my brain is on overdrive trying to deal with a multitude of factors at once. I'm sure this may be affecting my breathing.

I know that if I have been mounted, I am not comfortable in that position and will try and escape. My brain will be concentrating on what next to do and thinking of openings, and I will be using all my energy to escape. I know grappling is not purely about brute strength, but I sometimes forget about that. Furthermore, having a guy on top of you makes it more difficult for you to breathe. I think all these contribute to the light headaches I'm getting.

Stamina-wise, I think I'm ok. There are other guys that seem to tire before I do when grappling.

I don't think it's anything serious, because I'm ok shortly afterwards. Its just funny because I've never felt this way before.

[CHOKE UK]

Swan,
you are right,
it is an unnatural position to be in,
with a bloke on top of you (unless your names Rita) !

Especially at first when a big heavy lump is on your stomach,
and laying across your face,
it can feel a bit suffocating, and unlike say mt where if you are hurt you can go down on one knee.
In freefighting theres no where to hide !

So you fight harder, and exaust yourself more, so you fight harder and you get more exausted and.............
......the endless-cycle has begun !

Or if someone has had there hooks in and been trying to choke you for 5-10 minutes, its is like being trapped !

Also personal duels can build up under the surface,
if you have had particularly hards fight previously, and dont feel in a very relaxed mood.

Controlling the tension can be the hardest part sometimes.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Back when I was doing BJJ it would take a very long time for me to cool down after rolling

That is because you have too much insulation fat boy!

Trust me, I know all about that.

[SweepEm]

head aches or light headed feeling after training isn't normal and I strongly suggest you go to your doctor and get a check up.

You might be just over exerting yourself, but there could always be an underlying problem that might get serious.

[swan104]

I just like to point out that this seems to happen after rolling only. If I do a whole training session learning and training in groundwork, I am fine. I can only assume its to do with my breathing or my blood pressure. It could be that I'm over exerting myself and not breathing properly.

I think I will go to the docs for a checkup.