Cooling Down

• • Cooling down activities are also very important, aiding recovery from exercise and returning the body to a resting state
• Maintenance of elevated breathing and heart rate

  • Gentle activity that keeps the breathing and heart rate raisedabove normal levels

  E.g. gentle jogging or cycling
• Purpose of Maintenance of elevated breathing and heart rate

  • High blood flow to muscles is maintained, allowing the removal of waste productssuch as lactic acid and CO2
• Gradual reduction in intensity

  • The intensity level is decreased gradually

  E.g. a gentle jog is slowed to a walk
• Purpose of Gradual reduction in intensity

  • Heart and breathing rate gradually decrease
  • Body recovers
• Stretching

  • Static stretching during which relevant muscle stretches are held for a short time

  E.g. a hamstring stretch may be held for 30 seconds
• Purpose of Stretching

  • Blood flow is increased, aiding recovery
  • Delayed onset muscle soreness(DOMS) is prevented
  • Performers are better prepared for future training