Your body is not a machine… Fortunately!

I plead guilty. I also like to compare the human body to a machine to better explain certain concepts. For example, I find that the analogy with the automobile allows us to better understand what the Maximum Aerobic Speed or anaerobic alactic system.

On the other hand, we must never lose sight of the fact that the human body is not a machine… It is really better than that.

A machine, the more you use it, the more worn it becomes and the more likely it is to break. Your car, when it has 250 kilometers, is in worse condition than when it was new.

However, the exact opposite is happening with your body.

The more you use your muscles, bones and tendons, inside your body's maximum capacity, the more they adapt, the stronger they become. Nietzsche said: "what does not kill me makes me stronger". I would modify this sentence a little bit and I would say rather: "what does not hurt me makes me stronger".

With all the technology around us, it's only natural that our worldview becomes more mechanical and that we apply the concepts that are true in the mechanical world to the biological world. This sometimes leads to wrong conclusions.

Mechanical vision of the body:

“Running wears out the knees, like driving a car wears out the shock absorbers”.

Biological reality of the body:

The more you strain your knees, within their adaptation limit, the more resistant they become to injurys.

Mechanical vision of the body: 

“I can't run faster, I'm running out of 'juice' or running out of water or carbohydrates, like a car running out of gas or an iPod running out of electricity.

Biological reality of the body: 

In a car, slowing down is equivalent to breaking down or running out of fuel. In the human body, other factors come into play. Yes, you can be dehydrated or lack carbohydrates. However, other factors also contribute to fatigue: muscle micro-tears, nervous system fatigue, etc.

Mechanical vision of the body:

“I'm going to fast, because I have to purify my body, do the housework. »Or I am going to eat only (insert food X), in order to purify myself. As if the body were a soiled rag that can be washed.

Biological reality of the body:

The body's purification system is very well done and filters waste continuously.

Mechanical vision of the body: 

Good shoes are like good shock absorbers, it allows the engine to run well and it protects the car.

Biological reality of the body: 

The body reacts to changes in surface and shoe and changes its stride accordingly. It is not certain that more cushioning protects the body.

I think I could go on for a long time, but the point is made. Our body is not a machine and we should not treat it as such, because it is much better than that!

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Daniel Riou General director

Managing Director of Challenge Group, Founder of Corporate Challenge and co-founder ofAltterre. I love anything related to physical activity and overall health. Holder of a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from'Laval University Various trainings by The Runner's Clinic Emergence ProgramBeauce School of Entrepreneurship National Coaching Certification Program Level 2 in Badminton National Coaching Certification Program Level 1 in Weightlifting

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