Active recovery is low intensity exercise that a person performs after higher intensity exercise to improve their recovery and performance.
Recovering after a workout is an essential part of physical fitness. There are two types of recovery: active and passive.
Both recovery methods are important, and people may use one or the other at different points to suit their circumstances.
In this article, we discuss the benefits of active recovery and how it differs from passive recovery. We also explain what precautions to take when performing active recovery to minimize the risk of injury.
![a man uses a foam roller to massage his thighs as part of active recovery](http://i0.wp.com/post.medicalnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/Active_recovery_GettyImages1265162147_Header-1024x575.jpg?w=1155&h=1528)
Workouts
Exercise-induced muscle fatigue can last anywhere from a
Active recovery simply means that people work muscle groups after exercise, such as by walking or swimming.
People should partake in active recovery after they have finished their exercise. The
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- reducing lactic acid buildup in the muscles
- increasing blood flow to muscle tissue
- removing metabolic waste from the muscles
- reducing muscle tears and pain
Active recovery is
Active recovery describes a person partaking in low intensity activity after a workout.
Passive recovery, on the other hand,
Different people may find active recovery or passive recovery more suitable, depending on the type of physical activity they do.
The authors of a
On the other hand, the same study suggests that active recovery may be more useful for people who do other types of workouts, as it quickly decreases the amount of lactic acid in the muscles, which restores the pH balance in the body.
There are several different types of active recovery.
Rest days
Rest days are the days during which a person does not partake in intense workouts.
However, gentle exercise — such as walking or even flying a kite — increases blood flow to the muscles without the intensity of a workout.
This increase in blood flow is a part of active recovery, and general light physical activity on rest days can improve circulation and aid recovery.
Between interval training sets
Active recovery can also be beneficial during interval training sets.
The American Council on Exercise found that athletes recovered faster by continuing at less than 50% of their maximum efforts between intervals, as this still exercises the muscles and keeps the blood flowing.
Cooldowns
Active recovery can be more beneficial than passive recovery when cooling down from a workout.
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A person can use various methods and exercises for active recovery, each of which can have different benefits.
Walking
Walking is a gentle, light activity that has many benefits.
It does not require any prior knowledge of gym equipment or require a gym membership, making it a straightforward and often cost-free alternative to some other activities.
Going for a brisk walk has the
- improving sleep
- boosting memory
- reducing anxiety symptoms
Swimming
Swimming is a low impact exercise that is a good method of active recovery.
Although it is not usually as low cost as walking, an
The researchers suggested that this might have been due, in part, to the water reducing inflammation, helping prevent sore muscles.
Cycling
Going for a gentle bike ride is another option for active recovery. People can use a stationary bike or go cycling outside.
The main benefit of a light bike ride as active recovery is that it increases blood circulation without challenging any muscles that may be sore or recovering from a prior workout.
Yoga
Yoga is also a form of active recovery.
Even gentle yoga can have
The stretching that yoga involves also continues to work the muscles in a gentle way, which will increase blood circulation.
Self-myofascial release with a roam roller
Another form of active recovery is self-massage, or self-myofascial release, which someone can perform with a foam roller.
Some health and fitness experts believe that foam rolling helps reduce tightness, soreness, inflammation, and range of motion.
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While active recovery may be beneficial in many cases, people should be aware of some precautions.
The most important precaution is to avoid active recovery if a person has a sports injury.
Sports injuries can result from:
- an accident, such as falling
- not warming up properly before a workout
- using the wrong equipment or not using equipment properly
- a person pushing themselves beyond their capabilities
It is important to stop exercising immediately if there is any pain, as continuing to exercise can lead to further injury and increase the time it takes to recover.
People can treat most minor injuries at home by resting and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.
Active recovery can help reduce soreness and tightness after a workout. It might also improve a person’s performance in the long run.
However, if a person has an injury or partakes in workouts involving short, repeated bursts of high intensity exercise, passive recovery might be more beneficial.