Understanding and Using NNOXX's Performance Readiness Scores

Athletes have limited time and energy, so it's crucial to schedule high-intensity workouts when they are most ready to perform. Current wearables often fail to accurately assess readiness to exercise, leading to wasted time on ineffective training sessions and missed opportunities for performance improvements.

Equally challenging are the many strength training myths out there that aren’t backed by scientific data.

NNOXX's newest feature addresses this issue with its unique Performance Readiness scores for the most efficient workout, resulting in faster and greater performance improvements. Unlike other devices that provide backward-looking readiness and recovery scores, NNOXX evaluates your current physiological function to offer the most accurate prediction for your immediate exercise activity.

Additionally, while other wearable devices use metrics such as HRV and heart rate to determine readiness—lacking the ability to assess local muscle recovery—NNOXX can differentiate between aerobic and muscle readiness. This provides two separate readiness scores that, when combined, offer more meaningful feedback for adjusting your workouts effectively.

Interpreting Performance Readiness Scores:

Understanding the distinction between performance readiness and performance potential is crucial for athletes using NNOXX’s readiness tool to optimize their training. Here’s a clear explanation of how performance readiness metrics should be interpreted:

• Low Readiness Scores: A low score in aerobic readiness or muscle readiness indicates that your body is not in an optimal state for performance. However, it’s important to remember these scores are not deterministic. For example, a 20% aerobic readiness score does not mean you will perform at 20% of your peak potential. Instead, it signifies that there is a 20% chance you will perform at your best in aerobic endurance activities, given your current physiological state.
• High Readiness Scores: A high score in aerobic readiness or muscle readiness suggests that your body is well-prepared for performance. For example, a 90% muscle readiness score means you have a high chance of performing at your full potential in sprint or power activities. However, it does not guarantee that you will perform at 90% of your best.

By understanding and appropriately interpreting these readiness scores, athletes can tailor their training to match their body’s current state, thus optimizing performance. Additionally, properly your performance readiness scores, and understanding how they reflect the physiologic cost of pushing yourself, can help you better balance intensity and recovery in your training plan, as explained below:

• Low Readiness Scores: When your readiness is low, even if you manage to perform well, the effort required will be much higher. This increased effort translates to greater physiological cost, such as heightened fatigue longer recovery times. Essentially, pushing yourself when readiness is low can lead to diminished returns and potential setbacks in your overall training progress.
• High Readiness Scores: When your readiness is high, you are more likely to perform well with less physiological cost. This means you can achieve optimal performance without excessively taxing your body, allowing for better long-term progress and reduced risk of overtraining.

Practical Implications for Athletes:

Understanding and utilizing readiness scores effectively can significantly enhance your training regimen. Here’s how you can use NNOXX’s readiness scores to make informed training decisions:

• Training Adjustments: Use readiness scores to tailor your training sessions. 
• On days with low readiness, consider focusing on less intensive workouts, such as active recovery sessions. 
• On days with high readiness, plan for more intense or high-volume training to maximize performance benefits. 
• If you’re not sure how to best adjust training, NNOXX’s mobile app will provide you with recommendations based on your aerobic readiness, muscle readiness, and how they are trending over the past 7 days. 

Performance Expectation Management: Understand that a low readiness score is not an indicator of inevitable poor performance, but rather a signal to manage expectations and adjust efforts accordingly. Recognize that pushing through on low readiness days can have long-term impacts, and sometimes, it's beneficial to listen to your body and take a step back.

• Recovery Strategies: Prioritize recovery when readiness is low. Implement strategies such as proper sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress management to improve future readiness scores and enhance overall performance potential.

By accurately interpreting readiness scores and adjusting training plans accordingly, athletes can optimize their performance, reduce the risk of injury, and improve long-term athletic development.