There is a generally accepted practice of playing flush after a game of hockey. Flush rides are a lightweight 10 minute pedal intended to enhance recovery. Some coaches and hockey players will tell you that riding a bike after hockey helps remove lactic acid, but that is not the case as lactic acid dissociates very quickly in muscle; do not delay. Although they may be using the wrong term, anyone who has played hockey can appreciate the feeling they are describing, that feeling of heaviness and fatigue that can lead to leg pain and stiffness the next day.

Although riding a bike after hockey does not affect the concentration of lactic acid in the muscle, it will increase blood flow to the legs. Each time a muscle is exercised, more blood is sent to that area to provide oxygen and remove waste products. This increased blood flow can help the legs recover from the game of hockey by providing the building blocks (proteins) needed to repair and rebuild muscle, facilitating the removal of any damaged tissue, and replenishing the muscle’s energy stores (carbohydrates).

Should all players ride their bikes after hockey? I’m not 100% sure. If you think it is beneficial, please do so. As long as you keep the intensity low, it won’t hurt. Remember that there is a difference between an embedded conduit and a conditioning conduit. If you only play seven minutes in a game then you should probably be doing a conditioning run and doing some work, but if you get a good ice time and really need a close run then you should keep light resistance on. the bike and pedal at a nice steady pace of about 80-100 rpms. Your legs should feel light as they rotate. If your legs fatigue or burn as you go, then you need to lighten the resistance. Remember, the goal is to aid recovery, not to overload your legs.