Why do runners taper before races?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Recovery while keeping fitness
Saves energy for competition — Wrong. Does conserve energy, but taper's purpose is allowing muscle repair and glycogen supercompensation while maintaining cardiovascular fitness.
Increases muscle glycogen only — Wrong. Glycogen does increase, but taper allows complete muscle repair, nervous system recovery, and immune system restoration—not just fuel storage.
Recovery while keeping fitness ✓ — Correct! Peak performance timing! Taper = reducing training volume (50-70%) last 1-3 weeks before race while maintaining intensity. Benefits: (1) Muscle repair—heals micro-damage from training. (2) Glycogen supercompensation—stores maximize. (3) Nervous system recovery—freshness returns. (4) Immune system restoration. (5) Mental freshness. Maintains fitness (cardio stays adapted) while body recovers. Too long = detraining; too short = insufficient recovery. Art of timing peak performance!