Have you ever finished a grueling workout only to feel like a train wreck the next day? You're not alone. The secret to consistently crushing your fitness goals might lie in what you do after putting down the weights or stepping off the treadmill.
When you engage in physical activity, whether cardio, strength training, or HIIT, you create microscopic tears in your muscle fibers, deplete energy stores, and stress your cardiovascular and nervous systems. Your exercise session is a positive stressor, prompting your body to adapt and get stronger. However, without proper recovery, you may find yourself stuck in a cycle of fatigue and subpar performance.
Cooling down after your workout is a critical component of a training and recovery regimen. Here, you’ll understand the physiological mechanisms and benefits of a post-exercise recovery cold-down and learn strategies to set yourself up for success in your workout routine.
Key Takeaways:
- Cardiovascular exercise, or "cardio," includes any activity that increases your heart and breathing rates, strengthening your heart and lungs while improving overall health.
- Incorporating regular aerobic exercise into your routine can enhance heart health, boost endurance, aid weight management, and improve mental health.
- Various forms of cardio, such as low-impact activities (walking, swimming) and high-intensity options (HIIT, running), allow you to tailor workouts to your fitness level and preferences.
- To effectively start a cardio routine, assess your fitness level, set realistic goals, choose enjoyable activities, and ensure proper warm-ups and cool-downs.
- Proper nutrition and hydration, including a balanced intake of carbohydrates and proteins, are crucial for optimizing performance and recovery during and after cardio workouts.
The Science of Recovery
The primary aim of a cool-down is to facilitate the transition from exercise to a state of rest, thereby helping the body return to homeostasis. Proper recovery allows your body to repair muscle damage, replenish energy stores, and restore normal cardiovascular system function— setting the stage for improved performance and continued progress in your physical fitness.
Benefits of Cooling Down
Cardiovascular System Regulation: Your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature return to normal relatively quickly after exercise. Research indicates that cooling down can aid in the gradual reduction of heart rate and blood pressure, helping to prevent venous pooling and subsequent dizziness or fainting (1).
Reduction of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Exercise, especially intense or unfamiliar movements, can cause muscle soreness. This soreness is normal, but excessive damage can lead to prolonged discomfort and decreased performance. Studies show that a proper cool down may reduce the severity of DOMS, potentially due to enhanced blood flow and metabolic waste removal (2).
Muscle Recovery and Flexibility: Stretching during the cool-down phase has been found to help maintain muscle flexibility and reduce stiffness. Research indicates that combining active recovery with stretching can improve muscle recovery rates (3).
Psychological Benefits: The cool-down phase also provides psychological benefits, including a period for athletes to mentally transition from high-intensity activity to rest. One study found that cooling down can help reduce psychological stress and improve overall mood post-exercise (3).
Inflammatory Response: Recent studies suggest that cooling down moderates the inflammatory response post-exercise. Active recovery techniques employed during the cool-down phase can influence inflammatory markers, aiding recovery (4).
Traditional Cool-Down Methods
Various techniques can be employed during the cool-down phase, each with unique benefits. Active recovery, involving low-intensity exercises, is commonly recommended. This method promotes continued blood circulation, removing metabolic byproducts (5). Passive techniques, such as static stretching and massage, can also enhance muscle relaxation and flexibility (6).
Static Stretches
Static stretching has long been a staple of post-workout cool-down routines. While its impact on muscle soreness and performance is limited, static stretching remains valuable for flexibility, relaxation, and reducing muscle tension.
Benefits and Limitations of Static Stretching
- Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Static stretching effectively increases flexibility and range of motion, which is crucial for overall athletic performance and injury prevention (7).
- Promoting Relaxation and Reducing Muscle Tension: Static stretching can help promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension, reducing post-exercise muscle tightness (8).
- Muscle Soreness and Performance: The impact of static stretching on reducing muscle soreness (DOMS) and improving subsequent performance is minimal. Static stretching does not significantly alleviate muscle soreness or enhance athletic performance (8). Thus, its primary benefits lie in flexibility and muscle relaxation rather than performance enhancement.
Best Practices for Cool-Down Stretches
To maximize the benefits of static stretching during a cool-down, adhere to the following best practices:
- Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds to allow sufficient time for the muscle fibers to elongate and relax.
- Focus on major muscle groups such as the hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, lower back, upper back, and shoulders.
- Stretch to mild tension, avoiding pain or discomfort to ensure muscles are stretched effectively without risking injury.
- Consider incorporating static stretching later in the day rather than immediately after your workout to maximize your flexibility gains without compromising your immediate muscle recovery.
Basic Full-Body Stretch Routine
A comprehensive full-body stretch routine can be beneficial for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Here's a basic full-body stretch routine to incorporate into your cool-down:
- Hamstring stretch (right leg and left leg)
- Quad stretch (right knee and left knee)
- Glute stretch
- Lower back stretch
- Upper back stretch
- Shoulder stretch (right arm and left arm)
- Tricep stretch (right hand and left hand)
- Hip flexor stretch
Static stretching during your cool-down routine can enhance flexibility and promote relaxation, ultimately contributing to better recovery.
Light Aerobic Activity
Engaging in light aerobic activity as part of your cool-down routine can significantly enhance your recovery process post-exercise. Here's a detailed look into why this practice is beneficial and how you can effectively incorporate it into your workout regimen.
Benefits of Light Aerobic Activity During Cool Down
- Effects on Blood Flow: Low-intensity aerobic activities such as walking, slow cycling, or light jogging help promote blood circulation to your muscles. The increased blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the muscle, reducing post-exercise muscle stiffness and soreness and enhancing overall recovery.
- Cardiovascular Benefits: A gradual decrease in exercise intensity through light aerobic activity allows for a smoother transition from the high demands of your workout to a resting state. This process helps normalize heart rate and blood pressure, preventing sudden drops that could lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Maintaining a stable cardiovascular response post-exercise is particularly important for individuals with hypertension or heart disease.
Recommended Duration and Intensity for Cool-Down Exercises
To reap the benefits of light aerobic activity during your cool-down, follow these best practices:
- Duration: Aim for a 5-15-minute duration. This duration is sufficient to promote circulation and facilitate recovery without causing additional fatigue, with higher-intensity workouts potentially requiring a longer cool-down.
- Keep intensity low, ensuring you can carry on a conversation easily throughout the activity. This low-intensity approach helps your body gradually adjust and recover from the demands of your workout, promoting better overall recovery and readiness for subsequent training sessions.
Examples of Light Aerobic Activities
- Walking: Start by slowing down your exercise pace and transition into a comfortable walk for 5 to 10 minutes. This basic yet effective cool-down exercise stabilizes your heart rate and promotes blood circulation.
- Slow Cycling: If you can access a stationary bike, slow cycling at a gentle pace can be an excellent cool-down activity. Keep the resistance low and pedal at a comfortable rate.
- Light Jogging: For those who prefer more movement, light jogging at a significantly reduced pace can help maintain cardiovascular benefits while ensuring gradual muscle relaxation.
Incorporating light aerobic activity into your cool-down routine is a simple yet effective way to enhance recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and promote cardiovascular health. Dedicating just a few minutes to these low-intensity exercises can significantly improve your post-exercise recovery and performance in future workouts.
Modern Recovery Techniques
Foam Rolling
Foam rolling, a form of self-myofascial release, can be an effective strategy for enhancing recovery and performance as part of your cool-down routine.
How it works:
Foam rolling applies pressure to soft tissues, potentially breaking up adhesions in your fascia and improving blood flow. This practice can help reduce muscle tension, alleviate knots, and improve the overall range of motion. By enhancing blood circulation, foam rolling supports the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, promoting quicker recovery (9).
Research-Backed Benefits of Foam Rolling
- Reduction of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Studies have shown that foam rolling can effectively reduce the severity of DOMS post-exercise (10).
- Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Research indicates that foam rolling can significantly enhance flexibility and range of motion, with studies demonstrating increased hip flexion and extension range of motion (11).
- Enhanced Subsequent Performance: Incorporating foam rolling into a cool-down routine may also positively impact performance in subsequent workouts—improving power output and functional performance (12).
Proper Technique and Duration
To maximize the benefits of foam rolling, focus on proper technique and allocate sufficient time for each muscle group:
- Roll Slowly: Move slowly over each muscle group for 30-90 seconds, focusing on tight or tender areas.
- Moderate Pressure: Apply moderate pressure that is uncomfortable but not painful. Adjust the pressure based on individual tolerance and the targeted muscle group.
- Total Duration: Aim for 5-10 minutes of foam rolling, concentrating on the most-used muscle groups, including both the upper body and lower body.
- Foam rolling should be incorporated into a comprehensive cool-down routine that includes other elements, such as low-intensity aerobic activity and static stretching. This multifaceted approach can help athletes optimize their recovery and enhance overall performance.
Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching, commonly associated with warm-ups, can be highly beneficial during a cool-down routine. It helps maintain muscle temperature, gradually reduce heart rate, and improve flexibility.
Benefits of Dynamic Stretching in a Cool-Down
- Maintains Muscle Temperature: Dynamic stretching helps to keep muscles warm while gradually bringing the heart rate down, which can prevent sudden drops in blood pressure that might cause lightheadedness.
- Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion: Regularly incorporating dynamic stretches can enhance overall flexibility and joint mobility, aiding recovery and preparing the body for future workouts.
- Prevents Blood Pooling: By promoting continuous blood flow, dynamic stretching helps bring nutrients to the muscle cells, replenishing glycogen stores and reducing the likelihood of muscle stiffness and soreness.
Examples of Dynamic Stretches for Cool-Down
- Leg Swings: Perform front-to-back and side-to-side leg swings to target the hip flexors, hamstrings, and adductors. This movement helps loosen the lower body muscles that are heavily engaged during most exercises.
- Arm Circles: Large circular movements of the arms help maintain flexibility in the shoulders and upper back, which is especially beneficial after upper body workouts.
- Walking Lunges: Stretch the hip flexors and quadriceps and engage the glutes and hamstrings, promoting muscle coordination and flexibility.
- Torso Twists: Gentle twisting movements help to stretch the lower back and obliques, improving spinal mobility.
Incorporating dynamic stretching into your cool-down routine ensures that your muscles remain pliable, your joints stay flexible, and your overall recovery supports your long-term fitness goals.
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Cool-Down Routine for Beginners
If you're new to fitness or returning after a break, here's a simple cool-down routine to get you started:
Beginner Cool-Down Routine
- Light Aerobic Activity (5-10 minutes): Light aerobic activity helps gradually lower your heart rate and reduce muscle stiffness. Walking, slow cycling, or light jogging are ideal choices. Aim for a pace where you can easily carry on a conversation.
- Dynamic Stretching (5-10 minutes): Dynamic stretching maintains muscle temperature and keeps blood flowing, preventing lightheadedness while improving flexibility. Perform 10 repetitions of each:some text
- Arm Circles: Extend your arms and make small to large circles.
- Leg Swings: Swing one leg forward and back, then side to side.
- Torso Twists: Stand with feet hip-width apart and twist your torso from side to side.
- Static Stretching (10-15 minutes): Static stretching helps lengthen the muscles worked during the exercise, reduce tension, and aid in flexibility.
- Hamstring Stretch: Sit with one leg extended and the other bent, reaching for your toes on the extended leg. Hold for 15-30 seconds per leg.
- Quadriceps Stretch: Stand on one leg, pulling the opposite foot towards your buttocks. Hold for 15-30 seconds per leg.
- Shoulder Stretch: Bring one arm across your body and use the opposite hand to pull it closer. Hold for 15-30 seconds per arm.
- Child’s Pose: Kneel and sit back on your heels, reaching your arms forward and lowering your head. Hold for 15-30 seconds.
- Deep Breathing Exercises (5 minutes): Finish your cool-down with deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation and aid recovery. Sit or lie down comfortably and take 5-10 slow, deep breaths, focusing on inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling fully through your mouth.
Key Points for Beginners
- Listen to Your Body: Avoid pushing too hard, especially if you're new to fitness. It's crucial to recognize your limits and adjust your routine accordingly.
- Proper Form and Technique: After your workout, your body is fatigued, and you might be more susceptible to injury. Pay special attention to your form as you cool down to ensure you perform each exercise safely and effectively.
- Consistency is Key: Incorporate this cool-down routine into every workout to build a habit that supports long-term fitness and well-being.
Advanced Cool-Down Techniques
For more experienced fitness enthusiasts or athletes, you might consider incorporating these advanced techniques:
- Cold Therapy: Cold therapy methods such as cold plunges or whole-body cryotherapy can reduce muscle soreness and expedite the recovery of muscular power and flexibility. Cold water immersion, in particular, helps manage pain and inflammation. However, for muscle hypertrophy, it's best to use cold therapy sparingly, as it can blunt muscle protein synthesis if done immediately after resistance training (13).
- Compression Garments: Wearing compression garments or intermittent pneumatic compression (recovery boots) can enhance blood flow and aid recovery by delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. While evidence on performance enhancement is mixed, these tools can reduce muscle soreness and discomfort, potentially improving the speed at which you return to regular training (14, 15).
- Active Isolated Stretching (AIS): In AIS, you introduce a light and short stretch on the target muscle using a stretching strap while contracting the opposing muscle, release the stretch, and then repeat. This method promotes blood flow and reduces muscle stiffness, facilitating a smooth transition to recovery.
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching: PNF stretching consists of a brief contraction of the opposing target muscle, a sustained contraction of the target muscle (at least 3 seconds), and a release and stretch of the target muscle. It effectively reduces muscle tightness and improves range of motion, making it a valuable component of a comprehensive recovery routine.
- Yoga & Pilates: Incorporating yoga or Pilates into your cool-down routine promotes relaxation, enhances flexibility, and aids in muscle recovery. Both practices focus on controlled movements and breath work that help reduce muscle tension, improve core strength, and support overall recovery. Regular practice can also enhance mental relaxation, which complements physical recovery.
Total Body Static Stretching Routine for Post-Workout Cool Down
Here's a comprehensive total body static stretching routine that targets all major muscle groups:
- Neck: Sit or stand upright. Gently tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear toward your shoulder. Hold before repeating on the other side.
- Shoulders: Bring one arm across your body and use the opposite arm to gently pull it closer to your chest. Hold before switching sides.
- Triceps: Raise one arm overhead, bend the elbow to touch the opposite shoulder blade, and use your other hand to pull the elbow gently; hold before repeating on the other side.
- Chest: Stand in a doorway with your arms at a 90-degree angle against the door frame, then step forward slightly and hold.
- Upper back: Clasp your hands together, extend your arms forward, round your upper back, and hold.
- Lower back: Lie on your back and pull your knees toward your chest, hugging them with your arms and hold.
- Quadriceps: Stand on one leg and pull the opposite foot toward your buttocks, holding your ankle and keeping your knees close together; hold before switching sides.
- Hamstrings: Sit on the ground with one leg extended and the other bent. Reach toward the toes of the extended leg, keeping your back straight, and hold before switching sides.
- Hip Flexors: Kneel on one knee with the other foot in front, pushing your hips forward gently while keeping your torso upright until your front knee reaches a 90-degree angle; hold before switching sides.
- Glutes: Lie on your back with one knee bent, one foot on the floor and the other ankle crossed over the bent knee like a figure 4. Keeping the hips down on the floor, bring the bottom knee to the chest and hold underneath that knee with both hands and hold.
- Inner thighs: Sit with your feet together and knees bent out to the sides. Gently press your knees down toward the ground and hold.
- Calves: Stand facing a wall with one foot forward and the other back, keeping the back leg straight and pressing the heel into the ground, and hold before switching sides.
- Ankles: Sit with one leg extended and the other bent, rotating the ankle of the extended leg in a circular motion for 15-30 seconds before switching sides
Protocol for Static Stretching Routine
- Duration: Hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds.
- Repetitions: Perform each stretch 2-3 times.
- Frequency: Incorporate this routine after a workout session.
- Total Time: Approximately 10-20 minutes
Total Body Foam Rolling Routine for Post-Workout Cool Down
Here's a comprehensive total body foam rolling routine targeting major muscle groups:
- Quadriceps: Lie face down with your weight on your forearms and the foam roller under your thighs, rolling from the top of your knees to the bottom of your hip flexors.
- Hamstrings: Sit on the floor with the foam roller under your thighs, rolling from just above your knees to just below your glutes. Roll one leg with the other cross on top for an added challenge.
- Calves: Sit on the floor with the foam roller under your calves, rolling from your ankles to just below your knees.
- IT Band: Lie on your side with the foam roller just below your hip, rolling along the outside of your thigh down to your knee.
- Glutes: Sit on the foam roller with one leg crossed over the other knee, rolling from the bottom of your glutes to your lower back.
- Upper Back: Lie on your back with the foam roller positioned at mid-back level, rolling from the middle of your back up to your shoulders.
- Lats: Lie on your side with the foam roller positioned under your armpit, rolling from your armpit down to the middle of your ribcage.
- Chest: Lie on your stomach with the foam roller positioned diagonally across your chest, rolling from your collarbone to the front of your shoulder.
- Hips and Hip Flexors: Lie face down with the foam roller against your upper inner thigh, rolling over the area at your hips.
- Groin: Lie face down with the foam roller on your inner thigh, rolling from your hip to your knee.
Protocol for Foam Rolling Routine
- Perform each rolling movement slowly, pausing on tender areas for 10-30 seconds.
- Apply moderate pressure, adjusting based on your comfort level.
- Breathe deeply and try to relax during the routine.
- Total routine duration: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Only use myofascial release techniques on soft tissue, avoiding rolling directly over the bone.
Listen to your body during these routines. If you experience sharp pain or discomfort, reduce pressure or consult a healthcare professional. You can incorporate various routines into your post-workout cool-down to enhance recovery, reduce muscle tension, and improve flexibility.
Nutrition for Recovery
Post-workout nutrition plays a crucial role in recovery and should be considered an integral part of your cool-down routine.
Post-exercise nutrition timing:
- Aim to consume a meal or snack within 30-60 minutes after your workout to maximize muscle repair and glycogen replenishment. While timing is critical, especially after high-intensity workouts that deplete glycogen stores quickly, it's also essential to have a balanced meal pre-workout to ensure steady energy levels and reduce fatigue during exercise.
Key nutrients for recovery:
- Protein for muscle repair
- Intense workouts cause micro tears in muscle fibers, initiating an anabolic process where muscle repair and growth occur. Consuming 20-40 grams of high-quality protein post-workout supports this process. High-quality protein sources include whey protein, lean meats, eggs, and plant-based options like soy or pea protein. Evidence suggests that adults should aim for a daily protein intake of 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, with even higher amounts beneficial for those in a calorie deficit or older adults (16).
- Carbohydrates for energy replenishment
- High-intensity workouts primarily rely on carbohydrates, which deplete glycogen stores more rapidly. Post-exercise carbohydrate intake is crucial for restoring these stores. Aim for 0.5-0.7 grams of carbs per pound of body weight, focusing on complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (17). Proper carbohydrate timing can significantly affect how quickly you recover and your performance in subsequent workouts.
- Hydration strategies
- Proper hydration before, during, and after workouts is vital for optimal recovery. Rehydrating with water or an electrolyte-rich beverage helps replace 150% of the fluid lost during exercise, which is crucial for reducing muscle damage and enhancing muscle protein synthesis. Hydration also supports the recovery of the central nervous system, helping to restore heart rate variability and reduce fatigue.
Incorporating these nutrition strategies into your post-workout routine ensures that you have the right fuel for muscle repair, energy replenishment, and overall recovery, enabling you to perform better in your next workout and improve your training outcomes.
Sleep and Recovery
Sleep is one of the most undervalued yet potent recovery tools for your physical and mental health. It promotes muscle repair and growth, helps restore energy levels, and enhances cognitive function. During sleep, your body regulates hormone levels, including muscle protein synthesis.
When you're sleep-deprived, muscle damage takes longer to repair, impacting your performance in subsequent workouts and increasing your injury risk. For instance, adolescent athletes who sleep less than 8 hours a night have a 1.7 times greater risk of injury than those who sleep 8 hours or more (18).
Fortunately, napping can help offset the adverse effects of sleep deprivation. Midday naps improve cognitive function, relieve stress, and reduce feelings of fatigue, and they also enhance exercise recovery.
Tips for Improving Sleep Quality:
- Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night: This is optimal for most adults to ensure proper recovery and cognitive function.
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to regulate your body's internal clock.
- Create a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment. This will help signal to your body that it's time to wind down and promote uninterrupted sleep.
- Limit screen time before bed. Screens' blue light can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.
- Consider relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing: These can help calm your mind and prepare your body for restful sleep.
- Prioritizing sleep and incorporating these strategies can significantly boost your recovery and overall performance.
Individualizing Your Recovery Strategy
While there are general principles of effective recovery, no two recovery and cool-down routines look the same. Factors to consider when creating your recovery strategy include:
- Exercise type and intensity
- High-intensity or high-impact workouts may require more intensive cool-down and recovery strategies
- Strength training and endurance exercise have different recovery needs
- Individual response and preferences
- You may find specific recovery methods more effective or enjoyable than others
- Listen to your body and adjust your strategy accordingly
- Training goals
- Recovery strategies should align with your overall fitness objectives
- For example, those focused on muscle growth might prioritize nutrition and sleep over cold therapy
Creating a personalized cool-down routine
- Start with the basics: proper cool-down exercises, nutrition, and sleep
- Experiment with different recovery methods to find what works best for you
- Be consistent with your recovery practices
- Follow AIM7’s personalized recovery recommendations based on your wearable data and activity levels.
- Adjust your strategy as your fitness level and goals change
Common Recovery Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with the best intentions, falling into recovery pitfalls is easy. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Skipping the cool-down:
- Mistake: Rushing out of the gym without any cool-down activities
- Solution: Schedule 5-15 minutes for a proper cool-down as part of your workout
Overusing specific recovery methods:
- Mistake: Relying too heavily on one recovery technique, like foam rolling or cold therapy
- Solution: Use a variety of recovery methods and customize your recovery strategy to your needs and preferences
Neglecting nutrition and hydration:
- Mistake: Failing to refuel and rehydrate properly after exercise
- Solution: Plan your post-workout nutrition and keep healthy options readily available
Ignoring sleep quality:
- Mistake: Sacrificing sleep for more training time
- Solution: Prioritize sleep as a crucial part of your recovery and performance strategy
Pushing too hard, too often:
- Mistake: Not allowing adequate recovery time between intense workouts
- Solution: Incorporate more leisurely days or rest days into your training schedule
Conclusion
Recovery is not just about feeling better—it's about performing better and reducing your risk of injury. By implementing effective cool-down routines and recovery strategies, you're setting yourself up for continued progress and success in your fitness journey. Remember, recovery is highly individual, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
References
- Effects of warming-up on physical performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
- The Effect of Post-Exercise Cryotherapy on Recovery Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Do we need a cool-down after exercise? A narrative review of the psychophysiological effects and the effects on performance, injuries, and the long-term adaptive response.
- Acute hormonal and neuromuscular responses and recovery to forced vs maximum repetitions multiple resistance exercises
- An evidence-based approach for choosing post-exercise recovery techniques to reduce markers of muscle damage, soreness, fatigue, and inflammation: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
- Effects of immediate post-game recovery procedures on muscle soreness, power, and flexibility levels over the next 48 hours.
- Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: A systematic review.
- Stretching to prevent or reduce muscle soreness after exercise: A systematic review.
- An acute bout of self-myofascial release increases range of motion without a subsequent decrease in muscle activation or force.
- Foam rolling for delayed-onset muscle soreness and recovery of dynamic performance measures.
- Effect of foam rolling and static stretching on passive hip-flexion range of motion.
- A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Foam Rolling on Performance and Recovery.
- Cold water immersion attenuates anabolic signaling and skeletal muscle fiber hypertrophy, but not strength gain, following whole-body resistance training
- Compression garments and exercise: garment considerations, physiology and performance
- Dynamic Compression Enhances Pressure-to-Pain Threshold in Elite Athlete Recovery: Exploratory Study
- Protein "requirements" beyond the RDA: implications for optimizing health
- Fueling strategies to optimize performance: training high or training low?
- Chronic Lack of Sleep is Associated With Increased Sports Injuries in Adolescent Athletes
- An Evidence-Based Approach for Choosing Post-exercise Recovery Techniques to Reduce Markers of Muscle Damage, Soreness, Fatigue, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis