The old classic of yawning in the middle of a workout. You're in the middle of a hellish superset, sweating, breathing like a clogged vacuum cleaner... and you let out that yawn that could very well come with an audible warning. And of course, as Murphy's Law dictates, that's precisely when the self-proclaimed "personal coach" or nosy friend appears with that motivational comment: "Hey, is this a workout or a nap?"
But why do we yawn during training? Here are three reasons that can explain this phenomenon:
1. Thermoregulation – The Science of Indoor Air Conditioning
Your body, that somewhat lunatic biological clock, has very curious ways of balancing itself. When your internal temperature rises during training, yawning can be an attempt to cool the engine. It's like opening the car window in the middle of summer.
2. Relieve intracranial pressure – The pressure cooker effect
If you're working out hard, the pressure inside your skull can increase slightly. Yawning is like a pressure cooker letting air out of the system to keep it from exploding. Basically, you're preventing your brain from going into a rage quit.
3. Oxygenation – A “refresh” for the system
Have you ever noticed that yawns come with that deep, dramatic inhalation? That could be your body asking for extra oxygen. A yawn, in this case, is like clicking the "refresh" button.
Can yawning be a good sign?
Now, contrary to what your friend thinks, yawning during training is not a sign that your motivation was to go for a walk. On the contrary, despite the lack of studies, it is believed that yawning can be an indicator of effort. In other words, the more intense the training, the greater the probability of you letting out that respectable yawn.
Think about it: your body is so committed to not letting you fail that it even yawns to cool down, adjust pressures, and ensure it has enough oxygen to keep fighting the squat. It's like the Tesla of fitness—automatically keeping you on track.
Make even your "lazy reflexes" work for you.
Best wishes for good strategic yawns!
Rita Gomes - Personal Trainer BMS