Determining your recovery needs can be extremely complex as there are so many interrelated factors involved
Q I find the idea of complete rest days old-fashioned and unnecessary. In fact, I believe that they do more harm than good. Is the body so inefficient that it requires an entire day of ‘slothing’ when no form of physical activity is done? Surely our bodies will benefit more from consistent daily activity, especially given that people today tend to sit more than ever before. What’s your opinion? Greg
A Determining your recovery needs can be extremely complex as there are so many interrelated factors involved. It can also be highly individualised, based on myriad factors such as your genetics, your current training status, training history, nutrition, your amount and quality of sleep, and your prevailing stress levels, in all in its forms, be it emotional stress, psychological stress or even environmental stress.
But, in general, I would have to agree with you. A complete rest day that is devoid of any form of activity is probably not your best bet when optimal recovery is your aim.
To try to contextualise this viewpoint in more detail, it’s worth stating that the human body tends to thrive on consistency. It adapts to stresses imposed on it, and when there is no stress it stops adapting. In fact, without any form of stress, your body can regress in terms of strength, fitness and muscle mass.
This story is from the January - February 2018 edition of Fitness His Edition.
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This story is from the January - February 2018 edition of Fitness His Edition.
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