Relaxasjonstider

Relaxasjonstider refers to the scheduled periods of rest or recovery integrated into exercise, cognitive tasks, or therapeutic protocols. The concept originates from early 20th‑century human performance research, with pioneering work by Swedish physiologist G. Dahlsson who studied diurnal variations in muscle fatigue. The term itself is Norwegian, combining “relaxasjon” (relaxation) and “tider” (times), and is widely used in Nordic sports science literature.

In practice, relaxasjonstider are planned intervals between bouts of activity in which the body or mind is allowed to recover. For physical training, a typical model follows the principle of alternating high‑intensity work with low‑intensity or rest phases; for example, athletes may perform a sprint of 30 seconds followed by a 90‑second walk or static stretching. In cognitive contexts, research on attention‑deficit disorder finds that short rest periods (30–60 seconds) between tasks improve sustained performance. Therapeutic settings, such as yoga or guided meditation, prescribe systematic rests to stabilize heart rate variability and reduce cortisol levels.

Quantifying relaxasjonstider involves measuring heart rate, blood lactate, or subjective stress ratings before and after the break. Optimal durations vary with age, fitness level, and individual recovery capacity; guidelines from the Norwegian Institute of Sports suggest a minimum of 60% of the exertion period as rest for heavy resistance training. Despite its benefits, excessive relaxasjonstider can lead to under‑training, so coaches balance rest with progressive overload principles.

Current research continues to refine the optimal timing and structure of relaxasjonstider across disciplines, aiming to maximize performance gains while minimizing injury risk.