After a big training day or a race we typically encourage active recovery over passive recovery.
Why?
Movement is good for us. It enhances blood flow and mobility that helps loosen ‘stiff’ and sore muscles. This movement and blood flow also helps remove the by products of intense and/or prolonged exercise.
We could list a bunch of studies and reference research to highlight this but we also know through practice that athletes report feeling better – physically and mentally – and the time to being ‘back to normal’ is reduced. Combine this with a focus on sleep/sleep quality, good nutrition and hydration habits and you are on a path to success!
There is a time and a place for passive recovery, especially after a big event/race and during the post season, but generally speaking you will see us program active recovery sessions in place of passive rest days. At least in part this is linked to our quest to create healthy, functioning human beings first and foremost!