What is a potential risk of exercising more than 5 days a week?

Exercising more than five days a week can lead to an increased risk of injury primarily due to factors such as overtraining, inadequate recovery time, and muscle fatigue. When individuals engage in high levels of physical activity without allowing their bodies sufficient time to rest and recover, they may experience cumulative stress on muscles, joints, and connective tissues. This can result in strains, sprains, or chronic injuries such as tendinitis and stress fractures.

The balance between activity and recovery is essential for injury prevention. Optimal training programs typically incorporate rest days or lighter activity days to allow for muscle repair and growth, which helps in preventing injuries associated with overuse. Therefore, while routine exercise is beneficial for physical health, excessive training without proper recovery strategies can be detrimental to overall fitness and lead to injuries.