Why Rest Days Are Important For Athletes

Foods that Support Orthopedic Health

While physical exercise is often the focal point when talking about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, resting is just as important. Whether you're jogging to stay fit or training to become an elite athlete, taking rest days is essential to maintaining your bone and joint health. Here’s how.

Reduces Your Risk of Injury

When you sit at your desk all day, typing away, your brain can experience burnout — so can your body when it comes to exercise. When you continue to push your limits, doing too much too soon, you are at an increased risk of sustaining an overuse injury. Listen to your body, and give your body some time to rest and recover before you increase training or activity.

Allows Your Body to Recover

While many athletes may believe rest days are for the faint-hearted, they are actually essential when it comes to seeing results. When you work out and train, your muscles experience microscopic tears. During rest, your fibroblast cells work to repair it—helping the tissue to heal and grow.

Tips for Rest Days

Stretch

While stretching can help to increase flexibility, it can also help your body to recover quickly after exercise. Stretching can also help improve your physical performance in the following ways:

• Increases range of motion
• Increases flexibility
• Improves posture
• Improves circulation and blood flow to your muscles

Foam Roll

Foam rolling can help to relieve muscle soreness and inflammation. Studies have shown that foam rolling 24-48 hours after exercise can decrease the effects of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) compared to exercising regularly without foam rolling.

Drink Water

While most athletes know it is important to stay hydrated during physical activity, it is just as important to drink water on your off days. Drinking water helps to deliver necessary nutrients throughout your body. It also prevents muscle cramps.

Take a Bath

Taking a soak in a warm bath or hot tub can help to relax your muscles. Heat can increase circulation to your muscles, which can help to relieve tension and soreness.

Orthopedic Care in Fox Valley

At Fox Valley Orthopedics, we can help you get back to a pain-free, comfortable life. If you have been dealing with aches and pains that have lasted for more than a week, don’t put off getting help another day. Call (630) 584-1400 today to schedule your appointment.