The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a concept developed by Hans Selye in the 1930s to describe the physiological response that organisms, including athletes, go through when exposed to stress.
The GAS consists of three stages:
1. Alarm Reaction:
- This is the initial stage of the GAS.
- When an athlete is exposed to a novel stressor, such as heavy training with 3 to 5 reps, the body perceives it as a threat.
- The athlete’s body goes through a temporary state of shock where various physiological responses are activated to cope with the stress.
- Hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released to mobilize energy and increase alertness.
- In the context of heavy training, this stage might involve the immediate response of muscles and the cardiovascular system to the workout.
2. Resistance Stage:
- If the stressor persists or becomes chronic, the body enters the resistance stage.
- During this stage, the body attempts to adapt to the ongoing stressor.
- Physiological processes continue to work at a heightened level to help the athlete cope with the stress.
- In the case of heavy training, the athlete’s muscles may gradually adapt to the increased workload. Also, the cardiovascular system may become more efficient.
3. Exhaustion Stage:
- If the stressor persists for an extended period or if the body’s resources are depleted, it enters the exhaustion stage.
- At this point, the body’s ability to adapt and cope with stress starts to decline.
- The athlete may experience fatigue, decreased performance, and an increased risk of injury or illness.
- It is important to note that chronic stress and overtraining can lead to this stage. This is detrimental to an athlete’s overall well-being and performance.
To sum it up, the GAS is a useful framework for understanding how the body responds to various stressors, including physical training. It emphasizes the importance of managing stress, allowing for recovery, and avoiding chronic stressors that can lead to negative health outcomes. However, athletes often use periodization and recovery strategies to optimize their training and prevent reaching the exhaustion stage of the GAS.
