Recovery Runs. Do they aid recovery?
Ah, the next day post-run shuffle. Muscles screaming, lungs wheezing, and you’re questioning your sanity for subjecting yourself to such torture. Then comes the siren call of the “recovery run”, whispering promises of quicker muscle repair and fresher legs. But is this just another running myth holding us back, or is there truth to the slow-jog gospel?
The Myth
After a tough workout, a gentle jog helps flush lactic acid, the supposed culprit behind muscle soreness, and aids in tissue repair. This leads to faster recovery and prevents injuries.
The Reality
Lactic acid isn’t the villain it’s cracked up to be. While it does build up during intense exercise, it’s also quickly cleared by your body and even plays a role in energy production. Studies haven’t found a strong link between lactic acid levels and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), that lovely ache you feel a day or two after a big workout.
Additionally a number of papers, including a systematic review published in the Frontiers of Physiology in 2021 looking at numerous passive and active routines concluded no difference in times for both subjective and objective markers of muscle recovery.
The Verdict
While exercise following exhaustive workouts can be part of a healthy training routine, a dedicated “recovery run” might not be the magic bullet it’s often touted to be. It is really just another easy run in disguise… And if you really need to recover, listen to your body, and take some well earned rest. You’ll be back crushing those workouts in no time!
Bonus Tip: TrainAsONE can help you personalize your recovery plan based on your training, fatigue levels, and individual needs. Ditch the one-size-fits-all approach and let AI guide you towards optimal recovery and peak performance.
Embrace the joy of movement, but remember, sometimes the best run is the one you don’t take.
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