Influence of recovery strategies upon performance and perceptions following fatiguing exercise: a randomized controlled trial
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Background: Despite debate regarding their effectiveness, many different post-exercise recovery strategies are used by athletes. This study compared five post-exercise recovery strategies (cold water immersion, contrast water immersion, active recovery, a combined cold water immersion and active recovery and a control condition) to determine which is most effective for subsequent short-term performance and perceived recovery. Methods: Thirty-four recreationally active males undertook a simulated team-game fatiguing circuit followed by the above recovery strategies (randomized, 1 per week). Prior to the fatiguing exercise, and at 1, 24 and 48 h post-exercise, perceptual, flexibility and performance measures were assessed. Results: Contrast water immersion significantly enhanced perceptual recovery 1 h after fatiguing exercise in comparison to active and control recovery strategies. Cold water immersion and the combined recovery produced detrimental jump power performance at 1 h compared to the control and active recovery strategies. No recovery strategy was different to the control at 24 and 48 h for either perceptual or performance variables. Conclusion: For short term perceptual recovery, contrast water therapy should be implemented and for short-term countermovement power performance an active or control recovery is desirable. At 24 and 48 h, no superior recovery strategy was detected.
Journal
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Publication Name
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume
9
ISBN/ISSN
2052-1847
Edition
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Pages Count
9
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Publisher
BioMed Central
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Date
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EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1186/s13102-017-0087-8