As evidenced by the diversity of systems engaged during recovery from exercise, this field of research has implications for both human health and athletic performance, and can be useful to researchers and healthcare professionals alike. From what is currently known about the physiology of recovery, the three paradigms we have outlined in this perspective all likely overlap within an individual after a single bout of exercise. For example, our personal interest in the sustained post-exercise vasodilation crosses all three paradigms, creating vulnerabilities and opportunities, and providing prognostic implications, as depicted in Figure Figure1.1. Such responses allow for potentially different pathways of intervention, depending on the health and goals of the individual. For example, an athlete vulnerable to post-exercise syncope may choose to perform physical counter-maneuvers to prevent syncopal symptoms, rather than pursue a pharmacological intervention that may close the window of opportunity after exercise for beneficial exercise training effects. By conceptualizing the physiology of recovery as this balance of vulnerable state, window of opportunity, and crystal ball paradigms provides a way to frame lines of inquiry and help broaden the field of exercise physiology in exciting directions for the benefit of the clinical patient, elite athlete, and weekend warrior