In our previous High Performance Training Tip I postulated a relationship between the health of the internal organs and your ability to improve high performance.

Today, I will explain that relationship in more detail, so bear with me if this tip seems more technical than usual.

The first thing to understand is that organ function exists on a continuum, you are not either "sick" or "well". You can realize this fact by thinking of any blood work you have ever had done. If your doctor took his time, he/she would have explained that any object of measurement, for example, cortisol (our stress hormone),  has a RANGE where things are considered "normal". If your number is outside the range some kind of action must be taken.

Cortisol is excreted by our adrenals and if we live under excessive stress for a prolonged period of time, our cortisol numbers will gradually increase - indicating a burden on our adrenals - up to a point. Then the numbers will start to decrease. Your adrenals have had enough and have reduced the cortisol production.

The second thing to understand is that both organs and muscles have sensory nerves that transmit information to the central nervous system about what's going on. For example, the adrenals submit information to the central nervous system about the demand for cortisol production.

Certain organs or muscles are "paired" in the sense that their sensory nerves enter the spine at the same segmental level.

The last key to understanding this organ-muscle relationship is that the muscle and the organ share the same communication line to the central nervous system, thus the central nervous system can't tell whether it is the organ or the muscle that is in trouble.

So, if the central nervous system perceives that an organ is experiencing overload (too much stress), it attempts to reduce the output of both the organ and the muscle.

Simply stated, you will be weaker and less responsive to ANY kind of training.

Read "The Dreaded Bulge Below the Belt", by Paul Chek to learn more!

Committed to your uninterrupted success,
Karsten Jensen

PS: If you have already read the article I suggest buying "How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy" to figure out the best course of action.

PPS: An easy, rewarding strategy to begin a healthier lifestyle is to start getting out in the fresh air and breathe deeply. The morning is best.