Preseason training typically involves an intensive 1-2 month period in which athletes are exposed to high training volumes, intensities and frequencies. The stress from training is exacerbated by hot and humid conditions typical of preseason periods for several sports. This may put athletes at risk of excess fatigue and performance decrements. While the intensified training …
Team-sport athletes are regularly exposed to muscle damaging exercise from both training and competition. In sports like soccer, 2 competitions can be held only days apart which may leave players at a heightened risk of inadequate recovery. Full recovery from intense competition can take between 96-120 hours post-match. Therefore, coaches are constantly looking to improve …
In high level sport, there are many instances where there just ins’t enough recovery time between training sessions or competitions. Therefore, coaches will often employ recovery strategies with their athletes in effort to minimize perceptions of soreness and fatigue and limit fatigue-related decrements in performance. Hydrotherapy is one of the most commonly prescribed recovery modalities, …
Measuring recovery in athletes isn’t so simple. There remains quite a bit of debate regarding what the best metrics are to monitor fatigue in athletes. Objective physiological markers like creatine kinase (muscle damage), inflammation, testosterone to cortisol ratio and heart rate variability are useful but can be hard to acquire and quite costly. Further, the …
As coaches, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the scheduling and details of training camps. We’re challenged with packing in as much training as possible during a brief period of time due to time constraints from league rules and regulations. These training camps are great opportunities for not just performance and fitness based training …
Short-term recovery from muscle damaging training can directly affect subsequent performances. This has implications for situations where repeat performances are required, such as in tournament play. There is still considerable debate as to what the most effective recovery interventions are to mitigate performance decrements during subsequent training sessions or competitions. Cold water immersion and contrast …
Cold water immersion remains one of the most popular recovery modalities used by sports teams to reduce soreness and facilitate restored performance after intense training. Though the benefits of cold water immersion remain debatable, one consensus that has been reached is that it typically enhances perceived recovery and reduces self-reported muscle soreness. Water temperature and …
One of the challenges of being a performance coach with a team is planning training, particularly when in-season. Travel schedules and a busy competition schedule make this especially difficult. A common question that many coaches have is whether resistance training on the day after a competition effects recovery. On the one hand, coaches are rightfully …
For many athletes, sleep quality varies based on training phase, travel schedule, diet, performance competition outcomes, etc. Sleep disturbances on a short term basis can typically be managed, and the effects on performance may be minimal. Chronic sleep disturbances however, can be very problematic for an athlete, effecting performance, recovery and overall health. Higher level …
Recovery strategies are a hot topic in sports these days, and for good reason. The effects of a training program are dependent upon the athletes’ ability to recover and adapt to the stimulus. Too much training with inadequate recovery can quickly result in overreaching and an increased risk of illness and injury. One of the …