Rest, Rehab and Recovery
STRAIGHT UP: Running around without taking due time to rest, refresh and replenish totally wrecks your Gainz!
Why? Great Question!
BE ADVISED: We're entering territory governed by the nervous system. Enter if you dare! (Blah, blah, blah...We all know I'm a total neuro junkie, but last time I checked, muscles are controlled via neural pathways. So seriously, yo, neuronal content is 100% legit here...)
2 QUICK POINTS TO REVIEW:
1) The nervous system works in tandem with hormones, body chemicals and other systems.
2) Training at high intensities (without even involving nutrition at this point) places a high degree of stress on the entire body.
Obviously, intense training is required for Gainz. Here's the caveat: It must be supported by an intentional rehab and recovery plan.
Doing so has tremendous effects to:
- Clear the receptors
- Decrease cortisol production and subsequent circulating levels of it
- Enhance digestion (enzymatic production and gut motility), thereby increasing nutrient absorption
- Regulate poop (yep, I said it. When you're finished giggling, I'll continue…) either relieving constipation or resolving diarrhea/loose stools
- Increase testosterone and GH
- Improved sleep
- Decrease anxiety
- Improve clarity of thought
ADVANCED CONTENT FOR MY FELLOW PHYSIOLOGY GEEKS
- Improves cardiac output by offsetting the stimulatory effects of the SNS
- Reduces tachyarrhythmias and other associated properties of cardiac tissue under sympathetic stress (automaticity, conductivity & contractility)
- Improved immunity
- Reduce the perpetuation of a physiologic environment conducive to the growth and development of chronic diseases
- I'd venture to say there must also be benefit in the setting of LVH in athletes who train under heavy load…
PRO COACHING TIP: Instruct your athletes to intentionally give themselves permission to rest. The stress of worrying about getting fat, or the anxieties from acute training withdrawal will 100% counteract the benefits of a rest day!
