Great question that I was asked about the importance of rest days for runners.
It really depends on how much you’re running AND what you’re doing while not running? Are you getting 8 hours of sleep nightly or 6?
Are you eating enough protein and calories or not?
How’s your daily physical activity? Daily stress? Are you on your feet a lot or sitting?
All of this comes in to play when taking rest days into consideration. People running a lot but also who rest well can get away with fewer rest/off days, but people like the ER nurse I coach absolutely need a few days of no running because when she’s on her feet for a 12 hour shift that’s still physical activity!
“Rest days? What do you think I’m doing when I’m sleeping?!.” – Click to Tweet!
Rest is not a weapon, it’s a shield | Adam Virgile at Shakebot | Interesting study looking at soccer players, injury rates, and periods of rest.