Medscape spoke with Jamie Pasquin, MS, CSCS, RSCC, CPSS, exercise physiologist at HSS about what happens to the body when people take a break from exercise and how they can safely return to their routine.

Pasquin explained that declines in maximum strength can begin within a couple of weeks of stopping exercise, while changes in muscle size and volume typically become more noticeable after longer periods of inactivity. The effects can occur sooner when someone is completely immobilized, such as during bed rest. The good news, Pasquin said, is that muscle memory can help people regain strength and skills they developed through previous training. 

When returning after an extended break, Pasquin recommends taking a gradual approach rather than immediately trying to resume a previous routine. “The biggest mistake I see people make is they have an image in their head of what they were doing before they stopped, and they use that as a reference for where they should begin,” Pasquin said. “No matter how long you’ve been exercising, it is still important to ease back in.”

Read the full article at medscape.com.