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What we’ll cover
  1. What happens when we stop exercising?
  2. Physiological changes that occur when you stop exercise:
  3. What factors affect detraining and deconditioning?
  4. What can I do to prevent loss of fitness or deconditioning?
  5. What you should do to get back into exercise?
  6. How can physiotherapist help?

What happens when you stop exercising?

Following on from our latest blog post on what happens when you overtrain, our physiotherapist Jason Lee highlights what happens when you stop exercising.

There are many benefits to exercising and they include both physical and physiological benefits such as increasing/maintaining muscle mass and strength, reduction of blood sugar levels and blood pressure and improved blood flow to the brain (which can improve brain health and memory).

Moreover, exercise can lead to emotional and psychological benefits such as increased dopamine and serotonin, which increases your energy levels and makes you feel happier. The benefits of exercise are endless and it is often used to manage a wide range of conditions.

Specific to physiological and musculoskeletal conditions – exercise is often first line of treatment for conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and back pain. Physiotherapists are well placed to prescribe safe and individualised exercise programs for a range of conditions as well as specific exercise programs for recovery and rehabilitation.

what happens when you stop exercising
What happens when we stop exercising?

Stopping or ceasing exercise can occur for a number of reasons – e.g. illness, holidays, travel and laziness. Injury is another common reason for stopping exercise and something that physiotherapists see regularly.

When we stop exercising, we are detraining/deconditioning and therefore losing the benefits of training. Generally deconditioning begins to occur if you go without specific activity for greater than a week (this is all relative – e.g. a week off cardiovascular training like walking or running, or a week off strength training e.g. weights)

Importantly, deconditioning and detraining can be reversed once exercise and activity has recommenced. The longer you remain inactive – the longer it takes to regain or reverse the deconditioning process.

Physiological changes that occur when you stop exercise:

  • Lose cardiovascular benefits – E.g. body becomes less efficient at circulating blood around the body, any improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels may reduce.
  • Muscle changes occur – E.g. muscles themselves become smaller and weaker. Also notice reduction in muscle endurance. Muscle loses strength and power before endurance.
  • Blood pressure – Studies have shown that blood pressure can increase even 2 weeks post stopping exercise.
  • Blood sugar levels – Shown that even after 3 days blood sugar levels remain elevated.

What factors affect detraining and deconditioning?

Age – Naturally, as we get older we have less aerobic capacity. Our muscle mass and agility also decline. Studies have found that detraining effects are compounded the older we are.  Older adults lose muscle mass faster and strength declines more rapidly.

Level of fitness – The fitter you are, the longer it takes for deconditioning to occur.  E.g. elite athletes tend to experience less rates of decline during detraining.  Furthermore, those that train a couple times per week may notice deconditioning after a few weeks.  For those that exercise more intensely, it takes longer to experience deconditioning.

What can I do to prevent loss of fitness or deconditioning?

The better shape you were in previously, the less time it will be required to regain fitness or strength. In particular, the more you exercise prior, the better you develop better neuromuscular control and recruitment – commonly referred to as ‘muscle memory’.

E.g. your body remembers how it used to lift – you just need to remind it.

What you should do to get back into exercise?

If you have experienced detraining it is important to ease back into exercise to avoid injury. You should commence less intense versions of exercise prior to high intensity.  E.g. if you are a runner – start with longer/steady runs rather than interval training.

Be patient, you can and will regain fitness!

How can physiotherapist help?

It is important to seek help for injury early – the sooner that an injury is addressed or assessed, the less time off sport or exercise is required (if any).

Physiotherapists at Malvern East Physiotherapy offer a wide variety of sporting experience. They can safely adapt or modify your general exercise program. We have a multidisciplinary approach and liaise with coaching staff, personal trainers etc. to modify and allow exercise to continue whilst recovering from injury.

Your physiotherapist can develop a cross training/alternate training program whilst returning from injury in a safe fashion. Physiotherapists can also include and develop exercise programs to compliment existing program to prevent likelihood of future injury.

If you want to prevent loss of fitness or deconditioning, contact our friendly team on 9571 6888 or book online today.


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Last week our team celebrated another great year. 

Whilst Melbourne’s weather had its own plans, we were still determined to keep with the theme of ‘Italian Summer’. We let our hair down to master the art of mixology 🍸🍹followed by an Italian feast. Friday morning Run Club with the team. Practicing what we preach!

Staying stronger, healthier and happier. This time last week, our team was nervously completing their final preparations for @melbmara . 

Congratulations to our physiotherapists and ME community who ran on the day.

Dilen and Michael completed their first marathons. Abbey and Lizzie smashed out their first half. Last Sunday, our team headed down to see our own Matt Warren win a premiership in the VAFA Premier Men’s Competition. Last week our team dedicated a full day to professional development and team building. At ME Physio we pride ourselves on collaboration to put you at the centre of everything we do. 

Our team covered the latest treatments for back pain, financial well-being and finished off the day with salsa dancing. 

Many thanks to our guests including James Schomburgk from @the2ndvisitphysio , Financial Planners Tony Vikram & Cameron Bishop and the @salsafoundation At ME Physio, our focus is on helping you get stronger so that you can keep doing the things you love.

For Tony and Joan, healthier and stronger is being able to navigate the iconic Coast to Coast Walk in the UK! We recently had the pleasure of hosting Elise Bujor from Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy to discuss women’s health issues across the lifespan. 

Our team pride themselves on staying up to date to ensure you’re able to stay healthier, happier and stronger. Huge milestones over the past few weeks with both Tom and Jude from @delasallefc doing their first bit of running in their rehab. 

Tom is on the return from an ankle dislocation whilst Jude is putting in the hard work following a knee reconstruction. Last week our team enjoyed some friendly rivalry at the footy. 

With finals around the corner, some of our team can now safely make holidays plans for September. We recently had the pleasure of hosting the podiatry team from @sespodiatry. 

Our physiotherapists Michael and Abbey presented on rehabilitation following Achilles surgical repair and ankle surgery. Last weekend some of our team got together to complete the 10 km run @runmelbourne. There was no finish line picture as some were keen to run another 15 km!

Whilst running wasn’t for some - brunch was well received by everyone. Shoulder impingement can be incredibly frustrating and painful. 

Tony has been working closely with our physiotherapists Vernon and Dilen to get on top of his shoulder pain. His treatment plan has included hands-on physiotherapy and individualised exercises in our hydrotherapy and strength programs.

You Deserve to Feel Good.

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