Adaption to Exercise

When the body engages in regular physical activity, all physiologic systems undergo specific adaptations to increase movement efficiency. The human body adapts well when exposed to physical stress. (The term stress, within the context of exercise, is defined as an exertion above the normal, everyday functioning.)  Specific activities that result in stress vary for each individual and depend on a person’s level of fitness. For example, a person who sits at a desk all day may push their cardiorespiratory system to its limits simply by walking up several flights of stairs. For an avid runner, resistance training may expose the runner’s muscles to muscular contractions the athlete is not accustomed to feeling.

There are guiding principles in exercise, known as the Principles of Fitness Training, that can help individuals manage how much stress they experience to avoid injury and optimize their body’s capacity to adapt. Knowing a little about these principles provides valuable insights needed for organizing an effective fitness plan.