"My Day Off" Workout

By: Aimee Adams

Kaleigh Sheridan-left Rosemary Virgoni- Right at Thursday Workouts    

According to about.com, “The body repairs and strengthens itself in the time between workouts, and continuous training can actually weaken the strongest athletes.”

Being fatigued and overworked is anticipated from a majority of student-athletes. Rosemary Virgoni, member of the Avila University Glitter Girls Dance Team, said, “I expect the high physical demands that come along with being a collegiate athlete.” This expected work ethic might just be what is driving athletes to a poor performance. Virgoni said, “Last year before Nationals I got mono because my body was so fatigued that practice was doing more harm than good.”

If coaches gave athletes appropriate rest days between workouts and practices, more athletes would be capable of performing at peak ability on game days. Rather than giving athletes that day off, coaches assign a “day off workout.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Avila Glitter Girls Dance Team members participate in mandatory workouts. The team has regular practice: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (along with games on Saturdays.)  Kaleigh Sheridan, also a member of the Avila University Glitter Girls, said, “I don’t mind all of the working out, but it does get really stressful towards nationals.” Sheridan and Virgoni joked around trying to mimic their “zombie-like” performance during the 2012 UDA Nationals Competition. The saying, “fight through the fatigue” should not be the pre-game huddle speech coaches are giving, but too often, it is.

The overworked athlete isn’t discriminatory to one sport; this happens among the majority of Avila Athletics. Bopp Churchman, a member of the Avila University Basketball team and Courtney Morgan, member of the Avila University Softball team, both said they have practice the day before a game. Morgan said, “Honestly, the practices before a game are so light they’re pointless.” Most athletes would appreciate having a night off to de-stress and rest before a big game. However most coaches cram in a last-second practice that prevents students from completing previous responsibilities, keeping them awake when sleep is most crucial for them.

According to huffingtonpost.com a good nights sleep improves memory, curbs inflammation, sharpens attention, helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers stress, and prevents depression. A Stanford University study found that college football players who tried to sleep at least 10 hours a night for seven to eight weeks improved their average sprint time and had less daytime fatigue and more stamina.

The benefits of a day off and a good night sleep is a necessity very few student-athletes get to experience. If coaches really had their athletes’ best interest at heart, a day off would be top priority.