Why is regeneration relevant?
from Dr. Lutz Graumann, sports physician
from Dr. Lutz Graumann, sports physician
In top-class sport, all nations have been trying to find a formula for success for their athletes for years. The variable "training" has been intensively researched for more than 100 years. Every few years, the natural sciences provide new insights into how training can be dosed, controlled, individualized and optimized even better. There are now individual training recommendations that take genetic characteristics and body types into account.
The funny fact is: in principle, training makes us worse at first, because at the end of the training we are exhausted and not very efficient - and only with an adequate amount and quality of regeneration do we return to our original performance sooner or later. And if we do everything right, regeneration will make us even better. And that's where we want to go!
However, the "regen" variable is still an "unknown," with only a few well-researched constants. Since all athletes have different body types, physical characteristics and, last but not least, likes and dislikes, it is often difficult to give general recommendations for optimizing and accelerating regeneration.
Organisations, associations and clubs are still struggling to agree on uniform procedures and protocols. And this despite the fact that a study on this subject has been underway since 2012, led by the Federal Institute for Sports Science. You can view the current state of research at any time at www.regman.de .
During regeneration you rest, while your body is working hard without you noticing. These regeneration processes include:
✖️ the replenishment of energy stores (glycogen)
✖️ the replenishment of lost minerals and body water
✖️ the regulation of the pH value
✖️ the regulation of body temperature
✖️ the regulation of inflammation
✖️ the release of sex hormones and growth hormones so that we not only return to the starting level of performance, but even get better or more robust over time
✖️ the psychological/mental recovery
✖️ Motor and cognitive learning effects
Regeneration represents a perfect integration of the following three different physiological processes, all of which take place simultaneously and synergistically in our body:
1. biochemical processes (metabolism, detoxification, immune system, digestion)
2. Bioelectrical processes (central and peripheral nervous system, including communication between body areas)
3. biomechanical processes (posture, movement, lymphatic system, digestion)
Changing behavior to improve performance isn't always just about adopting new products, tools, rituals, and habits. Although these support and promote regeneration, the first step should be to find out which behaviors or lifestyle habits negatively influence our regeneration. So the first important motto on the way to optimized recovery is:
STOP DOING THE STUPID THINGS!
The usual suspects that negatively affect the regeneration phase are:
💤 too little sleep
🍸 too much alcohol
☕ too much coffee
🍔 too much junk food
If you consciously control the four areas mentioned above, you will notice that there will be a performance boost within 14 days.
In addition to the targeted omission of certain and often unhealthy lifestyle habits, there are of course several scientifically popular approaches to improving your regeneration - for example the Recovery Boots, about which you will learn more about how they work in the following article.
By the way: Have you ever tried power naps to turn the negative influence of "insufficient sleep" on your regeneration into a positive one? No? Then you should test it directly. The blanket and pillow of the Reboots Recharge Set get the most out of your nap.
author
dr Lutz Grauman
dr Lutz Graumann is a doctor specializing in sports medicine, chirotherapy and nutritional medicine. His focus is on promoting individual performance.
CREDENTIALS
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7739238/. Accessed August 7, 2021.
2. "Intermittent pneumatic compression or graduated compression...." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20083996/. Accessed August 7, 2021.
3. "Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Technology for Sports...." https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-387-45951-6_70. Accessed 7 Aug 2021.
4. "Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) - Physiopedia." https://www.physio-pedia.com/Delayed_onset_muscle_soreness_(DOMS). Accessed 7 Aug 2021.
5. "Does intermittent pneumatic leg compression improve muscles...." 19 Apr 2013, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23606340/. Accessed 7 Aug 2021.
6. "Central Nervous System Lymphatic Vessels Discovered | National...." 15 Jun 2015, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lymphatic-vessels-discovered-central-nervous- system. Accessed 7 Aug 2021.