Stopping exercising completely can have big implications. This process is called ‘detraining’ in the fitness world.
Let’s take a peek at some typical results during a period of downtime and how to combat the unwanted effects that detraining can bring about.
Aerobic fitness and cardio
Drops can start after 1-2 weeks of total rest with significant loss after 3-4 weeks of no activity.
What happens:
- Less blood being pumped to the heart per beat
- Decreased performance and endurance
- The amount of blood available for your heart starts to decline
- Decrease in the body’s ability to use fuel effectively
- Enzymes in the muscles that aid your metabolism start to decline, creating shifts in metabolism
- Endorphin and adrenaline levels drop which turns moods in a downward direction
Also read: What Your Metabolism is Trying to Tell You
Anaerobic fitness and strength
Typically a fairly small drop after 2 weeks, approx. 70% drop after 3 months.
What happens:
- Visible muscle mass drops
- Strength can be maintained for up to 4 weeks, but aesthetic shifts to muscle mass can be apparent much sooner
- Changes to muscle fibre types
- The nervous system slows down using the pathways responsible for muscle contractions
- Drop in mood due to less endorphins being released during exercise
- Shifts in metabolism
Flexibility
Obvious decrease of suppleness after 1-2 weeks of no work.
What happens:
- Muscles start to become tighter
- Message between the brain and muscles become less frequent/strong in communication and the brain starts to protect the muscles by switching on preventative action when we start to lengthen or stretch our muscles.
Other factors
- Unhelpful changes to diet
- Poor sleeping patterns
- Increased blood pressure
- Goals can seem harder to achieve
- Health factors can change and overall mood can be compromised due to less oxygen to the brain and the ability to suppress the chemicals that cause irritability, depression and low self-esteem etc
How to prevent detraining
By performing a fitness test at regular intervals, you can keep things honest and make any necessary adjustments to your training.
Aim to stay reasonably active during a break and add in some moderate exercise such as walking, outdoor activities or simply cut back the intensity of your current program.
Incorporate some light cardio and basic resistance activity if you are going to be taking an extended break from your usual pace.
