Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: SquarishTriangle on 08/07/2009 09:59:17

Title: How does someone get unfit?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 08/07/2009 09:59:17

Twice every year, I suffer from Should-be-studying-for-exams-exercise-reduction Syndrome, ie. for about 3 weeks I am forced to slightly reduce the amount of exercise I get each day. Trouble is, I then have a terrible time the next week or so trying to regain full fitness and feel like I have to work a lot harder to do my regular run.

What changes occur when someone reduces the amount of exercise they do (without ceasing it entirely)?

Title: How does someone get unfit?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/07/2009 10:10:32

You immediately within a day or two begin to loose muscle tone and you end up having to rebuild that muscle again.. It takes very little time for muscles to begin to atrophy at least that is what my physical therapist has said,, you work hard for tWo months with strength training and muscle toning and after just a few days of little to know exercise you can defeat the training you put in because the muscles begin breaking down again.. Personal experience tells me that it is extremely hard work rebuilding muscles where the muscles have atrophied like mine did over a two year space of time. I am struggling and have retained a personal trainer to try to help me build some strength back up,,, Hard work!

Title: How does someone get unfit?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/07/2009 00:22:57

Yes, tell me about it [::)] I stop exercising for a month and the next time I go to the gym my muscles hurt like *@#*! [:D]

Title: How does someone get unfit?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/07/2009 06:26:31

Yep..It can be like starting over!

Title: How does someone get unfit?
Post by: Pwee on 13/07/2009 15:44:53

I think you are talking about two separate things here.

It's one thing when you are ill and have to lie in bed all day not doing anything just waiting for healing (and then have to attend physioctherapy if you lost too much muscle strength), and it's another when you are perfectly healthy, just reducing your quantity of exercise, performing all your daily Routhines, walking around, etc. while studying for exams.

SquarishTriangle, are you into professional sports or something?
What you have worked hard for through years and years of training it there, you wont lose it in 3 weeks. Especially - if I get it right - when you exercise even under this 3 weeks, just not as much.
It sure will feel difficult at first, but it will get easier with every day, and it wont take more then that 3 weeks to get you back on track again.

Or are you studying for the exams in zero g?