What does the term 'active recovery' refer to in interval training?

The term 'active recovery' in interval training specifically refers to performing low-intensity activities between workouts. This strategy is designed to maintain blood circulation and facilitate recovery by keeping the body moving at a lower intensity. Active recovery helps to reduce muscle soreness and enhances the removal of metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid, which can accumulate during more intense workouts. By engaging in light activities—such as walking, cycling, or gentle stretching—athletes can help their bodies recover without completely halting movement, allowing them to prepare for the next bout of more intense exercise effectively. This approach contrasts with options that suggest complete rest or high-intensity engagement, which do not support the recovery process in the way active recovery does.