85: Boosting Recovery: What Really Works

In this solo episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf dives into the topic of exercise recovery. She differentiates between the physiological 'Big R' recovery and the 'little r' recovery, or aggressively marketed “recovery optimization” practices that the wellness industry loves to sell. Laurel discusses how sleep, nutrition, and strategic exercise stress management are critical to effective “big R’ recovery and clarifies why many marketed recovery methods may not be as effective as claimed. She emphasizes the importance of balancing exercise with adequate recovery to prevent injuries and achieve the positive adaptations and health outcomes we’re looking for when we exercise.Sign up for our free Bone Density Mini Course here!00:00 Introduction to exercise recovery01:23 Understanding recovery: the basics02:37 The rise of commercialized recovery “optimization practices” and why these are different from the recovery your body will do on its own if you let it.03:56 The essentials of recovery - time, resources, and strategy07:55 Misconceptions surrounding “recovery optimization” practices09:55 The importance of exercise12:27 Balancing exercise and recovery18:54 Practical tips for effective recovery28:26 Final thoughts and encouragementLinks:Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery by Christie AschwandenDr Steph Mundt - managing bone stress injuries and relative energy deficiency in our athletes on the Movement Optimism podcastPost-exercise cold water immersion attenuates acute anabolic signalling and long-term adaptations in muscle to strength trainingResearch on cool downs:Pernigoni et al (2023) PMID: 37039750Afonso et al (2021) PMID: 34025459Mechelen et al (1993) PMID: 8238713CDC -  General Physical Activity GuidelinesLaurel's Instagram post about recovery