Does anyone know if studies show whether or not a 5 minute cooldown after a workout increase gains or decreases muscle soreness?
Hello Joseph Geraci,
Here are some articles to check out; ACE’s Fabio Comana is quoted in the mensfitness.com article:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/24/do-we-have-to-cool-down-after-e…
http://www.mensfitness.com/training/build-muscle/5-ways-to-cool-down-aft…
There is controversy again, as this can be a personal preference. Little gains are better than no gains and everyone is different.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit
I don’t believe muscle soreness or DOMS has anything to do with a cool down. A cool down is intent on bringing the body back to its pre-exercise state gradually rather than abruptly.
As we know with orthostatis hypotension blood is distributed to certain regions of the body for specific reasons and a sudden change can cause light headedness because the blood has pooled and is not evenly distributed throughout the body.
I suppose it also allows contracted muscles to relax back to their normal state.
This requires an evidence based answer not an opinion. I don’t know if you have ever heard of the Strength and Conditioning Research review by Brett Contreras and Chris Beardsley. They covered using foam rolling as a cool down having a positive effect on recovery. Past that I would have to spend a day or two doing research to be able to answer your question.