Muscle
Recovery: Essential to Your Next Workout
The moment every
athlete wants to avoid.
POP!
A muscle gives at the gym or on the track, leading to weeks of rehab. Sometimes
it’s not even a single moment, but rather, countless hours of overuse that
leads a muscle to strain or tear.
To avoid rehab, athletes need to be thinking about pre-hab. Get ahead of an
injury before it happens.
Muscle recovery should be part of every training plan (specifically
post-workout). But there are multiple strategies athletes can employ that lead
to muscle health–even things like diet can impact how your muscles recover.
Knowing what to do, and when to do it, can help avoid the injuries that’ll set
you back weeks.
Why is Recovery Important?
An important goal of every training session is to break down muscle. Without
recovery, a significant portion of that work might be a waste of time. So, what
exactly happens during recovery? That’ll depend on the person and activity, but
generally, four different things are happening while you’re resting.
Synthesis of protein: This is what leads to muscle growth. During
recovery is when most muscle is built, because muscle protein synthesis
increases by 50% four hours after a workout (like resistance training).1
Rebuilding of muscle fibers: Microtears in muscle fibers are a normal part
of exercise, happening when we put strain on our muscles. Recovery allows these
fibers to heal and become stronger during that process.
Fluid restoration: We sweat (and lose a lot of fluid through exhaled
air).2 Hydrating before, during and after a
workout is important, because these fluids help deliver nutrients to organs and
muscle through the bloodstream.
Removal of metabolic waste products: Acids (via that pesky little proton
associated with lactate) accumulate during a workout, and
recovery gives the body time to restore intramuscular pH and reestablish
intramuscular blood flow for oxygen delivery (among other things).
While you’re resting, your muscles kick into overdrive.
Recovery can be
attacked several ways–some may be surprising, because they don’t directly
target the muscles themselves. By approaching recovery through a few different
avenues, it can be optimized.
Consuming Your Way to Recovery
It may not seem obvious, but a combination of hydration, diet, and supplements
can do wonders for the muscles.
Hydration: During and
After Exercise
Drinking fluids is a mantra repeated by coaches everywhere for good reason:
muscles are 75% water.
Before and during exercise, hydration is key to maintaining fluid balance and
can even improve endurance (it’s equally important to not over-consume water as
well).3,4 But post-workout, consuming enough
water is vital to helping digest essential nutrients and repairing damaged
muscle.
The sought after protein resynthesis requires muscles be well-hydrated. And
coupled with post-workout eating, saliva–which is comprised mostly of water–is
necessary to help break down food, digest, and absorb all the nutrients you’re
hoping to receive. In one study, adequate hydration after a 90-minute run on a
treadmill showed significantly faster heart rate recovery;5 this illustrates that hydrated bodies recover from exercise-induced
stress faster.
Don’t rely on the age-old test of urine to determine if you’re hydrated; that
has been debunked.6
A good rule of thumb is to weigh yourself before and after a workout, drinking
1.5x the amount of weight lost.
Diet: Protein,
Carbohydrates and Fat All Work Together
Nailing the right
nutrition strategy post-workout can encourage quicker recovery, reduce
soreness, build muscle, improve immunity and replenish glycogen.
Your next workout starts within the hour your last workout ended.
Since exercise
triggers the breakdown of muscle protein,7 it’s beneficial to consume an adequate
amount of protein after a workout. Protein provides the body with necessary
amino acids needed to repair and rebuild, while also promoting the development
of new muscle tissue.8
Good sources of protein include: whey protein, whole eggs, cheese and smoked
salmon.
Carbohydrates have a similarly important effect–they replenish glycogen stores.
The type of exercise will depend on how much carbohydrate is needed. Consuming
about 0.5 - 0.7 grams of carbohydrate per pound of bodyweight within 30 minutes
of training can result in adequate glycogen resynthesis.7 Insulin secretion promotes glycogen synthesis, and is more stimulated
when carbs and protein are consumed simultaneously.9
Carb sources are everywhere; but look to slow-release sources such as sweet
potatoes, fruit, pasta and rice.
Fat shouldn’t be the main focus of an after workout meal, but should be part of
it. Good fat sources include avocados and nuts. Milk is also a popular choice;
one study found whole milk was more effective at promoting muscle growth than
skim milk.10
Supplements: Protein,
BCAAs and Omega-3s Build Muscle and Reduce Inflammation
We’ve outlined which supplements
runners should take; it’s best to focus on protein, BCAAs and omega-3s–all these
supplements help optimize muscle recovery.
While most athletes think protein is best left to bodybuilders, protein can
repair the muscle damage that occurs during a workout, reduce the response from
the “stress hormone” cortisol, and speed up glycogen replacement. Protein also
accelerates the resolution of muscle inflammation.11,12
Whey, casein and soy are some of the most popular proteins. Whey is absorbed
the fastest by the body, and is largely considered the most effective protein
for muscle protein synthesis.13
Casein protein is
geared more toward long-term recovery because it takes hours to absorb. Try
introducing whey immediately post-workout, while using casein protein before
bed; protein ingestion before sleep has been shown to stimulate muscle protein
synthesis.14
Serious athletes should be taking about one gram of protein per pound of
bodyweight.
If someone doesn’t consume enough protein, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
can be a useful supplement.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. During exercise, the body
breaks down protein into amino acids; those are absorbed and transported
through the body to create new proteins that encourage building muscle. BCAAs
help enhance muscle protein recovery by introducing more amino acids into the
body. They preserve muscle glycogen stores, which fuel the muscles and minimize
protein breakdown. Studies show BCAAs as effective for muscle recovery (as well
as immune system regulation).15
Omega-3s, found in fish oils, have anti-inflammatory properties that help sore
muscles.16 Kado-3,
by HVMN, is a supercharged krill and fish oil stack designed to assist daily
brain and body metabolism. Ingredients in Kado-3 work together; like
astaxanthin oil (a powerful antioxidant) to fight against the buildup of free
radicals, and Vitamins K and D to protect bone health.17,18,19
HVMN Ketone can also help muscle recovery. Those using HVMN Ketone have seen
decreases in the breakdown of intramuscular glycogen and protein during
exercise when compared to carbs alone.20 It also expedited the resynthesis of
glycogen by 60% and protein by 2x when added to normal carb / protein post-workout
fuel.21,22
Resting Your Way to Recovery
Rest should be
accounted for in any training program.
Sleep: A Necessary Reset
On its face, sleep
should be the easiest way to recover. One study found that lack of sleep can
lead to muscle degradation.23 But many find it difficult to get the
ideal seven-to-nine hours per night.
Sleep improves other facets of health that tangentially affect muscle recovery;
the central nervous system (CNS) also recuperates during sleep, which is
important for muscles, because the CNS triggers muscle contractions and
reaction time. Hormones like cortisol and testosterone, which produce protein
synthesis, are also working while we sleep.
To help optimize sleep, it’s important to set a routine.
Our screens can
negatively impact sleep,24 so 60 - 90 minutes of screenless time
before bed can do wonders. The blue light emitted from our devices tricks the
brain into thinking it’s daytime and we need to be awake, decreasing our
natural melatonin.
It’s also important to create an optimal environment for sleep. Things like
blackout curtains, a cooler temperature setting in the bedroom, or a quality
mattress can all encourage better, more restful sleep.
Rest Days: Muscles
Don't Take Breaks, But You Should
On a much smaller scale,
what’s happening during sleep is also happening on rest days. Work rest days
into your training program because they give the body time to repair tissues
that have been broken down.25
Depleted muscle energy stores, micro-tears, fluid loss–all the things that
happen during a workout need time to recuperate and grow stronger.
Recovery time depends on your specific routine. Runners can have an especially
difficult time doing this. For highly active runners who log miles six days per
week, they should also incorporate recovery runs. About half of these runs
should be at recovery pace, a slower less-strenuous pace that allows the body
to recycle lactate as it's produced. By increasing blood
flow, recovery runs may actually accelerate the recovery process.
Also try to avoid intense workouts or hard runs on back-to-back days. Complete
rest days vary by person, but a good goal is one or two rest days every week or
ten days. Injury-prone athletes may increase the number of complete rest days
during this period.
Techniques & Exercises for Recovery
Let’s get into the
specifics of what you can do to help the body recover faster. By using
exercises targeted at certain muscles, not only will those muscles recover
faster–they’ll also get stronger in the process.
Active Recovery: Getting Stronger and Building Muscle
This type of recovery
focuses on exercise intensity at low-to-moderate levels. Studies have shown
that it’s best for the performance of endurance athletes.26 Active recovery is successful mostly due to its ability to more rapidly
remove blood lactate, facilitating blood flow and giving the body the ability
to process excess lactate produced during periods of intense exercise.27
Cross training is also a great way to engage in active recovery while enhancing
aerobic fitness without putting the body through the same stress as your normal
workouts. Try:
- Cycling: The motion is similar to running without the
joint impact. Ride at an easy pace in the low-intensity zone (around 120 -
140 heart rate)
- Yoga: A beginner’s class should do just fine.
Practicing basic yoga through online videos is sufficient, using poses
such as sun salutation (to boost circulation and release tightness) and
warriors one and two (to activate thigh and calf muscles while helping
stretch hips)
- Plyometrics: Even 15 - 30 minutes of bodyweight exercises
can help boost circulation while stretching muscles. They’ve even been
shown to increase sprint performance.28 Try exercises like planks, calf
raises and lunges
Ice Baths: Taking the
Plunge
Some athletes and
coaches swear by ice baths, with trainers mandating post-practice cold water
immersion (CWI). They consider ice baths essential to helping tired muscles,
and feeling better for the next intense training sessions.
The idea here is that cold therapy constricts blood vessels and decreases
metabolic activity, reducing swelling and tissue breakdown, flushing metabolic
debris from the muscle.
But one study showcased that the “hypothesized physiological benefits
surrounding CWI are at least partly placebo related.”29 This suggests that if you think ice baths help, then they may have a
beneficial impact on recovery and subsequent training.
If you’d like to try an ice bath, fill a tub or large container with water,
enough to submerge your hips. Add enough ice so the temperature of the water
drops to about 55 degrees. Then sit in the bath for about 15 minutes.
Stretching & Foam
Rolling: Increase Range of Motion
Stretching is
important both before and after a workout because exercise can shorten muscles,
decreasing mobility. Stretching helps flexibility, allowing muscles and joints
to work in their full range of motion.30 One study found that hamstring
flexibility led to increased muscle performance.31
Post-workout stretches are often forgotten by athletes in a rush, but it’s
essential to account for these stretches in a training schedule. Generally,
it’s best to hold stretches for about 30 seconds and repeat each once or twice.
Target these muscles, which usually take a beating from a variety of workouts:
- Piriformis
- Chest
and Anterior Deltoids
- Hamstrings
- Lats
- Quads
- Lower
Back
Complementary to
stretching, foam rollers help sore muscles,32 and they can be used on almost
every muscle in the body.
Our muscles go through a constant state of breakdown, then repair. Fascia, the
connective tissue surrounding our muscles, gets thick and short over time
because the body is attempting to protect itself from more damage. Sometimes,
trigger points form–sore spots, caused by fascia contraction, need release.
Ultimately, this affects range of movement and causes soreness.
Foam rolling (called
myofascial release) can help release those muscular trigger points, and as one
study found, can lead to overall improvement in athletic performance.33 The result is decreased muscle and joint pain, and increased mobility.
Selecting a foam roller depends on your needs; a larger roller can allow you
fuller sessions (meaning, if it’s large enough, you can lie on the foam roller
and do some great shoulder / upper back workouts). A denser roller will also
mean a more intense massage.
Target these often overused areas: glutes, iliotibial band (IT band), lower
back, shoulders and sides.
Technology: All the
Data You Need
While technology and
wearables can’t directly help with recovery, they’re able to gather important
data that may inform recovery techniques. Being able to track aspects of
training, sleep, heart rate and hydration can provide insight into how the best
tackle specificities of recovery.
- Hydration: Wearables like Nobo B60 and Hydra Alert
help monitor hydration through different means, but mostly through
sensors. Nobo is like a watch, mounted to the wrist or calf, while the
Hydra Alert is placed in a urinal or toilet to monitor hydration through
urine. However, many of these types of devices haven’t been independently
validated for accuracy.
- Training:
It seems there are countless
devices to measure training. The IMeasureU is versatile, using motion data
to track training. Similar to hydration wearables though, there isn’t
clinical validation for this technology.
- Heart
Rate and Breathing: The Hexoskin
is like a smart t-shirt with electrocardiogram (ECG) and breathing
sensors, along with an accelerometer. This measures heart rate, heart rate
variability, breathing rate, steps, etc.
- Sleep: Many training devices also can monitor sleep.
These devices can illuminate what we don’t know happens during our sleep,
and can also showcase our sleeping patterns to help us understand why we
may be waking up so tired. The Fitbit Charge 2 is especially
responsive to monitoring sleep, and has been validated through a
third-party study.34
Understanding our
inputs with data provides us with a way to maximize our outputs and reach peak
performance–even in recovery.
Recovery is the First Step to Better
Training
Recovery takes time
and dedication; it often gets overlooked in workout schedules because it isn’t
accounted for.
Active recovery, sleep, diet, and supplements like HVMN
Ketone can be used to
kickstart the recovery process and make training more effective.
The best training starts with mindful recovery to help muscles rebuild for the
next training session. This, ultimately, can improve training by putting your
body in the best position to perform. The process of muscle breakdown happens
during exercise; immediately after, the process of muscle restoration and
strengthening begins–you could be compromising gainful training by skipping
these all-important techniques to help the body rebuild.