The Importance of Rest Days for Athletes

The Importance of Rest & Recovery When Exercising

While many people believe off days are for the faint-hearted, taking a day off from training can be beneficial for your athletic performance. Whether you’re exercising to lead a healthier lifestyle or you’re a competitive athlete, taking time to allow your body to rest can help to support your musculoskeletal health.

Benefits of Taking a Break from Activity

See Better Results

Although many people believe you need to be constantly working out to continue to improve, taking breaks from training at least once a week can help you yield faster results. This is because your muscles experience microscopic tears during exercise. When you allow your body to recover on rest days, your muscle tissue is able to repair itself, ultimately increasing in size.

Reduce the Risk of Sustaining an Injury

While it’s normal to experience muscle soreness 2 or 3 days after a heavy workout, it’s also possible to push your muscles too far. When you continuously push your muscles to their limit, you're more likely to experience an overuse injury.

Having a Productive Rest Day

Taking a rest day also doesn’t mean you have to take a break from all together. There are plenty of activities that you can do to make the most of your days off from heavy training/

Some things you can add to your rest day routine include:

• Yoga and dynamic stretching
• Foam rolling your muscles
• Walking or hiking
• Swimming
• Biking
• Dancing

If you’re looking to get a better picture of your physical health to improve your athletic performance further, reach out to your sports medicine doctor.

Rehabilitation Services in Bishop, CA

At Northern Inyo Healthcare District, our team of orthopedists take a holistic approach to care, focusing on you as a whole person rather than specific symptoms or conditions. We provide therapeutic services, working cooperatively with physicians, nursing staff, diagnostic imaging, environmental services, nutritional services, information technology and all hospital units – doing whatever is needed to achieve total patient care.

For more information about the rehabilitation services at Northern Inyo Healthcare District or to schedule an appointment, call (760) 873-2605