Interval Training to Regulate the Autonomous Nervous System
Interval training offers a multifaceted approach to enhancing brain health and supporting the nervous system. By stimulating neuroplasticity, increasing BDNF production, improving cerebral blood flow, and regulating stress responses, interval training can contribute significantly to cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall neurological health. Consider integrating interval training into your fitness regimen to maximize these benefits and promote a healthier brain and nervous system.
One of the greatest ironies in life is that those things cause us pain tend to be instrumental to our growth and healing.
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation frequently accompanies traumatic brain injuries, disrupting the body's ability to regulate essential functions autonomously. Put simply, this means your body gets really bad at regulating things like heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, digestion, and even breathing. The fun stuff. After my last brain injury, just sitting up would elevate my heart rate enough to cause a cascade of symptoms, so, I learned stillness like it was my job.
The irony here is that one of the most effective tools to address ANS dysregulation is interval training.
Interval training involves alternating between high-intensity bursts of activity and periods of lower-intensity recovery. It not supports the body’s regulation of the ANS, but it regulates the body’s stress response, and supports energy production and cellular health, and all of those happy mitochondria turn around and maintain the integrity of the nervous system.
But wait, there’s more. Interval training isn’t just great for the nervous system, but is how I train to support my brain. Remember what I said last week about leveraging neuroplasticity to enhance your workouts with music? Interval training enhances neuroplasticity. This is why you see me every day doing snatch until you die supersets listening to the same playlist over and over, EXTRA CREDIT! Interval training also increases BDNF production and increases blood flow to the brain.
The TLDR is that interval training contributes to cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall neurological health. Just writing this makes me want to go pick up my kettlebells even though I just showered from this morning’s workout. Is anyone else as excited as me about this?!
If you know me at all, you know I’ve hacked this even further; I’ll share that one next week.