Following exercise, what does active recovery help prevent?

Active recovery is a form of low-intensity exercise performed after more intense physical activity. One of its primary benefits is its role in preventing blood pooling in the muscles. After rigorous exercise, blood flow can become stagnant, particularly in the lower limbs, leading to potential complications such as dizziness or fainting. By engaging in movements that are gentle and not overly taxing, such as walking or light cycling, active recovery promotes better circulation and encourages the return of blood to the heart and helps in the clearing of metabolic waste products that have accumulated during exercise.

While muscle stiffness, fatigue, and injury are certainly concerns post-exercise, they are not primarily addressed by the process of active recovery as effectively as blood pooling is. Light activity can help mitigate stiffness over time, but the immediate prevention of blood from pooling when transitioning from high exertion to rest is the most direct benefit of this practice.