What is Active Recovery, and why is it utilized?

Active recovery refers to the practice of engaging in low-intensity exercise following a more strenuous workout. This gentle movement might include activities such as walking, cycling at a slow pace, or doing light stretching. The primary purpose of active recovery is to promote circulation, which facilitates the removal of metabolic waste products that accumulate in the muscles during intense exercise. By keeping the body moving, blood flow increases, delivering oxygen and nutrients necessary for muscle repair and replenishment of energy stores. This approach can help alleviate muscle soreness and stiffness, making it an effective strategy for enhancing overall recovery after workouts.

The other choices present concepts that do not align with the principles of recovery. High-intensity training during rest periods would increase fatigue rather than aid recovery. Complete rest can lead to stiffness and slower recovery, while intense workouts followed by long rest do not incorporate any movement, which would not be beneficial for circulating blood flow and recovering effectively.