Question 1

When Should You Stop Training?

Martin · Accepted Answer

As with intensity and frequency of training, there are no exact guidelines determining when training should be stopped. We recommend the “power of 5” principle described above – completing at least five sets of five repetitions for five weeks. It is, however, interesting to note that we have witnessed patients become increasingly stronger where training is continued beyond five weeks. Saleem et al. (2005) described a woman with moderate Parkinson’s disease who indicated she wished to train beyond the four-week mark. She trained for a total of 20 weeks. At four weeks, she demonstrated a 50% improvement in maximum expiratory pressure. By week 20, her MEP had improved by 158%. This despite suffering from an underlying neurodegenerative disease. At one point, training was suspended for four weeks, and the woman’s MEP decreased by 16% decrease.

Question 2

When Should You Stop Training?

Martin · Accepted Answer

As with intensity and frequency of training, there are no exact guidelines determining when training should be stopped. We recommend the “power of 5” principle described above – completing at least five sets of five repetitions for five weeks. It is, however, interesting to note that we have witnessed patients become increasingly stronger where training is continued beyond five weeks. Saleem et al. (2005) described a woman with moderate Parkinson’s disease who indicated she wished to train beyond the four-week mark. She trained for a total of 20 weeks. At four weeks, she demonstrated a 50% improvement in maximum expiratory pressure. By week 20, her MEP had improved by 158%. This despite suffering from an underlying neurodegenerative disease. At one point, training was suspended for four weeks, and the woman’s MEP decreased by 16% decrease.