Everyone has heard of the circadian clock that coordinates our biological activities around a daily cycle of roughly 24 hours. But recent studies have pointed to the idea that we actually have multiple clocks—different ones for different organs. So when you cross time zones, you do not simply disrupt a master circadian clock but all of these clocks. An important implication of … [Read more...]
Today’s Prescribed Workout: A Nap
If you’re like most endurance athletes, the idea of a nap for a workout not only sounds oxymoronic but downright blasphemous. After all, the definition of a workout is “a session of vigorous physical exercise.” And a period of slumber is anything but a session of vigorous physical exercise. But, then again, that is the entire point. As we know from Exercise Physiology 101, … [Read more...]
Are You Sleeping Enough?
The recommended amount of sleep for healthy adults is 7-9 hours per day. According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 30 percent of American adults are “sleep deprived,” meaning they sleep less than 6 hours each day—leaving them vulnerable to adverse health and safety effects. As any athlete in training knows, skipping on sleep is not conducive to … [Read more...]
