Exercise Response: What Happens to Your Body

There are a number of physiological responses that happen to your body when you begin to exercise.  Some of these responses adapt, depending on the amount of time you spend or how regularly you exercise.  Here are two such body responses related to working out.

New Exerciser Strength Boost

In order to give information to your muscles (i.e. force production), nerve impulses are transmitted from the central nervous system to your motor units, telling specific muscle fibers to contract. If you are beginning a new workout plan or have not worked out for an extended period of time, many of these motor units will not be used initially as they have not been needed to transmit signals. After exercising for a few weeks, these units will slowly be “recruited” to begin firing again. This is why we often see a significant amount of strength gained initially when beginning a new exercise program.

Mental Health Improvements

A number of studies indicate that participation in physical activity, both acute (single time) and chronic (repeated), can improve mental health. Individuals diagnosed with depression and anxiety, who participated in aerobic intervention and a resistance training program with moderate intensities, have shown significant improvements in mental health markers compared to those just receiving psychotropic treatment. Researchers believe this outcome has occurred because of the increased transmission of hormones, such as monoamines, which act as antidepressants, and endorphins, which can provide a feeling of calm and positive changes in mood