With high-volume training, it’s normal
for athletes to feel fatigued and dilapidated. Athletes often jump right into
this type of training at the beginning of the season instead of gradually. All
athletes need to include proper recovery into their routines for optimal
performance throughout the season. Better recovery equals better practices
equals more wins! Let’s get started –
1.
More
water! No, not the chlorinated kind! Be sure you are drinking enough water
each and every day. When you don’t drink enough water your body functions begin
to slow down. To learn more on dehydration and how it affects your body, click here!
2.
Go to
bed. Getting to sleep and getting the correct amount of sleep each night is
more important than you know. When your body is at rest that is when your
muscles grow and recover best. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep and you’ll definitely
see a difference! Have trouble winding down? These
tips can help!
3.
Refuel!
If you are training hard, you are exerting a lot of energy leaving your body yearning
for nutrients. It’s been said that you should refuel your body within 30
minutes of your training with a combination of carbohydrates and protein.
4.
Ice
Baths. Every athlete’s favorite! Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit!
Similar to using ice packs for injured joints, an ice bath takes it to a whole
other level. By emerging yourself into a cold ice bath, your whole body
benefits! With an activity like swimming, your whole body is fatigued which is
why an ice bath is helpful. Try an ice bath post-workout and see how well you
recover.
5.
Stretching.
Stretching is one of the most important things you should be doing if you live
an active lifestyle. Stretching and foam rolling keep you nimble, flexible, and
resistant to injury. Save stretching for the end of your training when your
muscles are still warm. This also keeps your muscles loose, versus tight, which
aids in recovery. Still wondering about the importance of stretching? We go
into more detail here.
No comments:
Post a Comment