How Does the Body Recover After Exercise?

joyful women doing yoga with exercise ball

Definition

Exercise recovery refers to the body’s ability to return to homeostasis and adapt after training sessions to become fitter and stronger through the repair and regeneration process.

Explanation

  • Recovery allows the muscles, nervous system, joints, and connective tissues stressed during workouts to rebuild and compensate.
  • Sufficient protein consumption, restful sleep, active recovery, hydration, nutrition, foam rolling and stretching facilitate recovery.
  • Overtraining and under-recovering impedes fitness gains and heightens injury risk. Balance work and rest for optimal supercompensation.
  • Signs of inadequate recovery include persistent soreness, nagging pains, decreased performance, irritability, lack of motivation and compromised immunity.

Examples

  • Drinking a protein shake after lifting weights to supply amino acids that aid muscle repair.
  • Foam rolling tight quadriceps in between squat workout days.

Related Terms

Common Questions

  • How much recovery do I need? At least 1-2 rest days between intense training of the same muscle groups.
  • What helps muscles recover? Protein consumption, sleep, hydration, active recovery, stretching, foam rolling.

Do Not Confuse With

  • Injuries or overtraining – Which impede recovery.
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