This weekend brings the Netherlands' biggest sports spectacle: the Rotterdam Marathon and Amstel Gold Race, drawing nearly 35,000 cyclists and runners to the start line.
Yet, a recent survey reveals a concerning trend—51% of Dutch athletes begin without a proper warm-up, and 81% skip cool-downs entirely, potentially hindering performance and increasing injury risk.
Only half of athletes make warm-ups a routine part of their preparation, while 20% never bother. Those who do rate their efforts a modest 6 out of 10. Typical approaches include easing into the activity (49%), dynamic warm-up exercises (30%), or light jogging (29%).
Raising your heart rate and warming muscles primes the body for intense effort. Post-exercise, 40% regularly face muscle soreness, with 5% experiencing it every time. Few prioritize recovery like massages or topical treatments.
To address this, 30 sponsored masseurs will be on hand in the finish villages of both events, offering expert aftercare for fatigued muscles.
