It is an interesting (and surprising) piece to read the article of Gina Kolata in New York Times. All the time we practice this school of thought that it is necessary to cool down after exercising.

However, it is cited in the article ‘Is the Exercise Cool-Down Really Necessary?’ that this particular subject is in fact understudied. There is no exact process on how to cool down or a concrete rationale as why it is necessary to cool down after exercising but there is one possible risk, a fact that is agreed by exercise researchers.

When we exercise, our heart beats faster and our blood vessels in our legs expand to send more blood to our feet and legs. A sudden stop in any exercise activity will result to slow heart beat and pool of blood in your legs and feet. This is the reason that sometimes you feel dizzy or even pass out after you suddenly stop from an intensive exercise.

Actually, those people who undergo intensive exercise such as athletes are likely to suffer from this because their bodies are conditioned with trainings and exercises. As a result, their heart rate is slow and if they abruptly stop from a physically rigorous exercise, the heart’s slowing down process is faster.

This information is really opposite to what we have been thought and practicing; nonetheless, there is no harm to do a cool-down after your exercise.

Read the full article, ‘Is the Exercise Cool-Down Really Necessary?‘ from NYTimes.com - Fitness and Nutrition.