Sports

Strength and conditioning: how much is too much?

Natalie Thousand, Web Designer | 11/02/2021

Conditioning is crucial for athletes, especially when performing at a higher level. Not only does it improve athletic ability, but it also benefits one's overall health and fitness. However, if an individual overworks themselves, there can be immense risks to their body.

Body conditioning is a type of an aerobic exercise that targets all aspects of an individual. An anaerobic exercise is usually swift and strenuous. For example, sprinting, jumping, and weight lifting are all types of anaerobic exercises. All of these require maximum effort for a short period. During this type of exercise, one's body looks to consume stored energy, including carbohydrates breaking down into glucose. This energy can be used immediately or stored for later use.

Two immense benefits evolve from conditioning an individual's body, one of which includes flexibility. While training one's body through new exercises, the muscles extend, improving overall mobility. Flexibility enhances balance, coordination, and stability, giving individuals a lower chance of injury.

Another benefit of conditioning is building muscles and strength. As muscle mass increases, the individual has more power and agility during everyday activities. Stronger muscles make activities, such as lifting a heavy object, easier.

What happens when someone overworks their body? This is a straightforward question that many individuals fail to comprehend. Many people, especially athletes, believe that the more they do, the better they will become at their sport. Individuals will pile on training and overwork themselves with this mindset, resulting in bodily stress, fatigue, and physical burnout. This excess training could also result in injury that could hamper the individual’s progress.

There is a limit to the number of exercises individuals can endure at one time. Yes, many benefits evolve from conditioning, but doing too much of it can risk someone's health and physical state. If individuals manage how long they perform physical activity, it will benefit them and their well-being.