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In the 1940’s
a Swedish scientist named Hans Selye formulated a theory
on how the body adapts to stress. The theory was called
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
Dr Selye
determined that three reactions occur to any severe
stress; the alarm stage, the resistance development
stage, and the exhaustion stage.
The alarm
stage is the initial response to the stressor.
Physiologically, the body reacts to the stress with
physical symptoms that occur due to the demand of the
stressor. For the weight-training athlete, the stress is
lifting weights. The symptoms of this stress could be
muscle soreness, lethargy, and initial strength
increases.
The next stage
is the resistance stage and can be summed up as the
rebuilding stage. This is where the body adapts to the
stressor. For the bodybuilder, soreness dissipates and
the body becomes less lethargic.
The final
stage is the exhaustion stage. It is the body’s
inability to deal with a stressor. Once in the
exhaustion stage, muscle growth and fat burning will
stop, lethargy will set in, and the body will become
more susceptible to illness. The only thing a weight
trainer can do to get out of the exhaustion stage is to
take time off and allow the body to rest. The amount of
rest time needed depends on the level of exhaustion. If
in the initial stages, it may only take a week of rest.
There are
several signs that can indicate overtraining is
occurring. Anytime three or more of the symptoms to the
left are experienced, rest is recommended to allow the
body to recover and get out of the exhaustion stage and
back to being productive in muscle building and fat loss
goals. |
