The Dr. Shannon Show

#67: How the nervous system affects your results: why exhausting workouts aren't more effective

Jun 23, 2022

22:29

How the nervous system affects your results: why exhausting workouts aren't more effective

In this episode, Shannon discusses the difference between systemic and specific fatigue, known as central and peripheral fatigue. She discusses why this theory highlights that workouts don't have to wear you out to have big payoffs. She leaves you with practical applications on knowing if your workouts are centrally or peripherally fatiguing.

1:40: Introduction of systemic fatigue (central fatigue) vs. specific fatigue (peripheral fatigue

3:05: Increasing muscle definition without wearing yourself down

5:30: How hypertrophy (gaining muscle) happens + motor unit recruitment

8:03: Different types of fatigue (central and peripheral fatigue)

9:40: How central fatigue affects peripheral fatigue

10:29: How peripheral and central fatigue affect results differently

13:15: The “interference effect”

13:53: Different types of workouts/exercises that can lead to high levels of central fatigue

14:45: Peripheral fatigue for muscle hypertrophy

15:45: Practical applications

17:08: Individual responses to exercise dosage/tolerance to fatigue

18:18: How to know if your workout is more centrally fatiguing than peripherally fatiguing

20:00: Is soreness a reliable indicator of effectiveness of your workout?