Why is it that after a high aerobic sports event (Ice Hockey, Football, etc…) a player who has just played a 2-3 hour vigours game, will be interviewed and be seen riding a stationary bike quite strenuosly?
Sheesh. Two hours and no one has tried answering this?
I’ll give a go at it.
Their trying to cool down slowly and remain stretched to avoid cramping and stiffness. Any kind of sustained or aggressive activity followed by sudden inactivity can result in the muscles tensing up.
Hell, a good romp in the sack (Sustained activity) followed with sweet-talk afterwards (Sudden inactivity of things other than the mouth) and the obligatory walk to the bathroom later can sometimes cripple me.
To try and minimize the cramping later, slowing down the level of activity bit by bit can sometimes help.
I also notice this after a good bike ride. If I stop and sit, I get sore and stiff. If I get off the bike and walk around for a while and ‘cool down’, the effects of the ride are not as bad.