According to research on stress and physical fitness, approximately how long does it take for individuals who stop exercising to lose up to 50% of their fitness improvement?

• A. After 6 months of inactivity
• B. Within 2 weeks of stopping exercise
• C. About 2 months after stopping exercise
• D. It takes at least 1 year to lose 50% of fitness improvement

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of fitness retention and detraining: When individuals stop exercising, their bodies gradually lose the physiological adaptations gained from training, a process known as detraining.
2. Recognize that research in exercise psychology and physiology shows that fitness improvements can decline rapidly after cessation of exercise, especially in the early period of inactivity.
3. Identify the typical time frames studied in research for loss of fitness improvements, which often include short-term (weeks), medium-term (months), and long-term (year or more) periods.
4. Recall that studies indicate a significant portion of fitness gains, up to 50%, can be lost within a very short period, often within the first two weeks of stopping exercise.
5. Conclude that the correct understanding is that individuals can lose up to 50% of their fitness improvements within approximately two weeks of stopping exercise, highlighting the importance of consistent physical activity.