Research Corner - Q&A Muscles: It is Important to Give the Muscles a Day Break by Rodney Corn | Date Released : 05 Mar 2002 0 comments Print Close Question I know that it is important to give the muscles a day break after working them. My client is curious what the benefit is for army personnel to work their muscles day after day. Are there any benefits for an ordinary person to work the same muscle groups one day after another? What about non-weight bearing exercises such as push ups or crunches? Can those be done day after day? Answer Very good question. Military training has a variety of purposes that extend beyond just the physical aspects of exercise training. This could be better explained from the source itself. However, with regards to the physical aspects of training everyday, it really all comes down to the volume and intensity of training. There is not a problem with working the same muscle groups everyday, and in fact that is what we should be doing. The army is more than likely trying to build a high level of physical (and mental) tolerance in our soldiers, which is needed for the jobs and purpose that they serve to their country/province. In reference to this question, "Are there any benefits for an ordinary person to work the same muscle groups one day after another? " it needs to be determined what type of training are we talking about? Heavy weight training? The answer is No. This should not be done every day over extended periods of time for the same muscle groups. This does not allow sufficient recuperation of tissue and can lead to injury and hormonal deficits. Walking/jogging? Yes it can be done everyday, keeping in mind the amount the person is capable of handling and how much they are doing (volume/Intensity). Pushups and sit-ups? (They are weight bearing, just a different form) Yes they can be done everyday, keeping in mind the amount the person is capable of handling and how much they are doing (volume/Intensity). The benefits of working the same muscle groups everyday is that we get EXERCISE everyday. However, the volume must be low-to-moderate especially for the detrained or deconditioned person (such as most of the American population). The down side to performing the same exercise for the same muscle group is adaptation. After a few weeks, the body will adapt to the exercise and the results will gradually decline. Also, if the volume and intensity are not monitored, tissues may not repair properly and lead to some form of injury. Best case scenario is to perform some type of exercise everyday, but vary what you: movement, volume and intensity. This helps to avoid stagnation and decreased results. Back to top About the author: Rodney Corn Rodney Corn is a co-founder of PTA Global with over 20 years in the fitness industry. As a collegiate athlete, bodybuilder, published author and contributor to numerous industry publications, Rodney has traveled the globe sharing his extensive scientific and practical experience in wellness, sports performance and corrective exercise. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of San Francisco and California University of Pennsylvania. Rodney holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and masters degree in biomechanics. He is also a Fellow of Applied Functional Science with the Gray Institute. Full Author Details Related content Content from Rodney Corn Battling RopesĀ® Progressions and Modifications by Ingrid Marcum | Videos Mastering the Prospecting Mindset on the Fitness Floor Rodney Corn | Articles Bracing vs Drawing In Rodney Corn | Articles Olympic Weightlifting - Part 3 Rodney Corn | Articles Olympic Weightlifting - Part 1: Movement, Alternatives and Application Rodney Corn | Articles Shoulder Popping During Exercise Rodney Corn | Articles Baseball Bat Swing Pain Rodney Corn | Articles Muscles: It is Important to Give the Muscles a Day Break Rodney Corn | Articles Coxa Valgum and Exercises Rodney Corn | Articles Hyperextension Bench Rodney Corn | Articles Hip Flexor Pain Rodney Corn | Articles Pronation - Distortion Syndrome and Exercise Rodney Corn | Articles Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Rodney Corn | Articles Neck Pain Exercises Rodney Corn | Articles Aerobic Training and RMR Rodney Corn | Articles Alexander Technique Rodney Corn | Articles Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Rodney Corn | Articles Balance Problems Rodney Corn | Articles Putting the Maximus Back Into Gluteus Part 3: Correction through Proper Program Design Rodney Corn | Articles Muscle Classification System Rodney Corn | Articles "Cottage Cheese Legs" Rodney Corn | Articles Putting the Maximus Back Into Gluteus Part 2: Common Causes of Disruption Rodney Corn | Articles Putting the Maximus Back Into Gluteus Rodney Corn | Articles Age, Function and Integrated Training Rodney Corn | Articles Neurological Rationale for Integrated Training Rodney Corn | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top