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2003/01/28, 12:39 PM
I understand that a hormone called cortisol is released into the system which converts protein into energy or something (i can't remember exactly), and that 2 days rest from exercise is required for the cortisol to dissapear and not accumulate otherwise muscle will begin to be broken down for energy and overtraining is the result. However, i read that people work different body parts and workout as much as 5 times a week. As this isn't enough time for the cortisol to gradually disappear and it will begin to build up, how come these people don't overtrain??
I'm really confused on this one, can anyone explain it?
Thanks
Peter
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2003/01/28, 02:32 PM
Cortisol is one of the most powerful hormones in the body. It is used in many different aspects and functions, from the lungs to joints. However, in the capacity you are asking about, cortisol is released any time the body goes under stress, whether it's mental, physical, etc. It is a result of the basic fight or flight reaction mechanism that the body engages when placed under stress. It's function here is to ensure that that body has sufficient explosive energy in case that stress becomes life threatening. The hormone is used to put the body into a catabolic state, that is, using muscle tissue for fuel. Remember, the body is quite all or nothing when it is considered threatened, and it doesn't really care if the stress is from weightlifting or a lion chasing you.
Since it's a rapid release for a rapid response, the hormone itself will only stay at a high level in the system for a few hours before it starts to decline quickly. Personally, I never liked the 5 on, 2 off training routine not so much because of the cortisol issue, but basically because of the lack of recovering time in general. But the concept behind it is that since you only work out a body part directly once every 5-7 days, it is sufficient time for recovery.
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Michael
"Trample the weak; hurdle the dead!"
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