Don't forget the cool-down!
Like the warm-up, the cool-down is an important part of a good sports session. But why is it actually so important?
Prevents injuries
With a cool-down, you slowly bring your body back to rest. A good cool-down is necessary for your body to recover. This is also how you prevent injuries. The more fanatical you have been, the more your body needs to rest.
Reduces muscle pain
A cool-down also ensures that your muscles are less tense after your athletic effort. In many cases, it reduces muscle soreness after exercise. Just 5 minutes of continuing at a low level is often enough to release the greatest amount of lactic acid and other waste products from the muscles.
Restores blood circulation.
With a cool-down, your heart rate gently goes down again and your blood circulation recovers. When you suddenly stop after a vigorous workout, you can sometimes become dizzy. With a cool-down, the blood circulation resets to a resting situation, and other parts of the body get more blood again.
For example, a cool-down consists of the following components:
- Walk or bike out slowly.
- Then do some stretching exercises, just like during your warm-up.
- You can also do some static stretching (stretching exercises that you hold for 10 to 15 seconds). It's okay to feel some tension, but it shouldn't hurt.
Important: Take the time for a good cool-down, you'll find that your muscles recover faster and you'll suffer less from stiff or tired muscles the next day! So now you know. Don't forget the cool-down!
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