The Care and Prevention of Injuries Part 4: Rest and Recovery

Rest and Recovery

This is Part 4 of a 4 part series

I have worked in the Health, Fitness, and Dance Industry for over 20 years.

My education and experience has given me the knowledge to understand how Rest and Recovery can impact the care and prevention of injuries



To maximize one’s physical potential, rest and recovery is as important to the equation as the workout. Dedicating enough time to rest and recovery impacts the care and prevention of injuries before, during, and after any workout.

Rest is conducive to recovery. Many injuries can be prevented when more time is dedicated to adequately resting and recovering after a long or exceptionally high-intensity activity. When engaging in high intensity physical activity such as distance running, dancing, or weight lifting, small micro-tears occur in muscle fibers. It is helpful to rest in order for muscles to recover and rebuild. The recovery and rebuilding process not only minimizes the risk of injury, it helps to achieve improvements in performance by building stronger muscles.

Rest helps avoid fatigue. When one is fatigued while participating in fitness activities, it is easy to become careless, neglect technique, and basic safety protocol. Rest can include taking a day off from all physical activity, easing back on the intensity or duration of workouts, or ensuring that enough time is dedicated to a full night’s rest.

Written by:

Melissa Adylia Calasanz

Melissa Adylia Gutierrez
of
Controlled Burn Fitness
and
Pedal Precision Indoor Cycling Classes
for
Saint Mary's LEAP100 PPA Class Kinesiology Challenge
Read
PART 1: Warm-Ups Prior to Activity
PART 2: Care and Conditioning of the Feet
PART 3: Cross Training