This question is asked again and again and again, and many people believe that after they do a strenuous workout they dont' need to cool their body down they can just go back to everyday activities. The issue present is that there is no real definition of a cool down just that one shouldn't stop moving for a time span after a hard workout to keep your blood flowing. Now theoretically if your exercising very hard the blood vessels in your legs are expanded so the legs can receive a larger dose of blood rather than a body part which isn't moving. If your exercising very hard and you just suddenly stop it can lead to blood pooling, which eventually leads to dizziness and passing out. So maybe it IS a good idea for just a couple minute cool down, nothing more than 5 minutes. The group of people who are most vulnerable to this are athletes because they are trained to adapt their bodies to obtain maximum blood dosage in their legs which causes them to be able to need to cool down so their bodies can return to normal.
However, ther is an adverse side to this theory. Some people believe that a cool down is to prevent soreness due to lactic acid build up after exercise. Lactic acid has nothing to do with muscle soreness due to the lactic acid build up after exercise. Lactic acid has nothing to do with muscle soreness, its good to generate as much lactic acid as possible. When exercise is completely stopped the lactic acid build up can be changed to glycogen which the athlete can then use for fuel. There have been studies proving that even with the cool down the muscle soreness is not prevented.
So I guess the answer to this question would basically be personal choice. If you're an athlete it would be beneficial for you to cool down to avoid any pooling or swelling. For first timers or people new to exercise I feel a cool down isn't as beneficial because it's not going to prevent muscle soreness which you will experience, it will just help decrease your heartbeat and help you get back to normal state.
I have always been taught that lactic acid build up causes cramping and fatigue. I guess that is different and muscle soreness overall. I am a huge supporter of the cool down because of the blood pooling and such and also just because it feels good to calm the body down before trying to do regular daily activities. If I don't cool down after strenuous exercise I can't even complete a task such as tying my shoes because I am so shaky!
ReplyDeleteEver since I have played hockey I have always been taught to cool down after anything type of physical activity weather it is after a workout of the ice, a practice or after a game. Also like staph said I have also been taught that due to not enough water is what will cause cramping and fatigue. A cool down to me is a very good idea especially if you just got done with a long run; this is when I see it being most effective for me.
ReplyDeleteI have been playing sports for the majority of my life. In the beginning of my sports career, I use to hate the cool down process of stretching and either a light jog or walk. After playing basketball, stretching to me is the best thing I can do. I tighten up really quick, but with the cool down (walk) and stretching, the aftermath of the workout is def. not as bad.
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