What is an effect of active recovery after exercise?

Active recovery after exercise plays a vital role in aiding the body’s recovery process, and one of its significant effects is helping in the reduction of oxygen debt. Oxygen debt refers to the amount of oxygen required to restore the body to its pre-exercise state after intense physical activity. Engaging in low-intensity activities during recovery allows the body to gradually supply oxygen to the muscles that were utilized during exercise, promoting efficient metabolic processes and facilitating the removal of metabolic byproducts like lactic acid.

When individuals participate in active recovery, such as walking or light cycling, they can enhance circulation, which contributes to the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to muscle tissues. This process helps in clearing out carbon dioxide and other waste products from the bloodstream, accelerating recovery and reducing the feeling of fatigue.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the benefits of active recovery. Increasing muscle soreness is typically a result of high-intensity exercise or overexertion, not active recovery. While heart rate may decrease during active recovery as the body is not under the same stress, the primary goal is to support recovery rather than merely decreasing heart rate. Promoting dehydration is counterproductive to recovery and does not align with the physiological benefits of engaging in low-intensity activity post-exercise