The usage and perceived effectiveness of different recovery modalities in amateur and elite Rugby athletes

Tavares, Francisco; Healey, Phil; Smith, Tiaki Brett; Driller, Matthew W.

doi:10.1016/j.peh.2017.04.002

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In support of this, even though most individuals perceive an active cool-down as more beneficial, some (recreationally active) individuals may perceive it as ‘more exercise’ or increasing stiffness [ 25 ]. This may explain why elite rugby players rated an active cool-down as more effective than amateur rugby players in a recent survey [ 6 ].…”

Section: Physiological Effects Of An Active Cool-downmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do We Need a Cool-Down After Exercise? A Narrative Review of the Psychophysiological Effects and the Effects on Performance, Injuries and the Long-Term Adaptive Response

Hooren

Peake

2018

Sports Med

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It is widely believed that an active cool-down is more effective for promoting post-exercise recovery than a passive cool-down involving no activity. However, research on this topic has never been synthesized and it therefore remains largely unknown whether this belief is correct. This review compares the effects of various types of active cool-downs with passive cool-downs on sports performance, injuries, long-term adaptive responses, and psychophysiological markers of post-exercise recovery. An active cool-down is largely ineffective with respect to enhancing same-day and next-day(s) sports performance, but some beneficial effects on next-day(s) performance have been reported. Active cool-downs do not appear to prevent injuries, and preliminary evidence suggests that performing an active cool-down on a regular basis does not attenuate the long-term adaptive response. Active cool-downs accelerate recovery of lactate in blood, but not necessarily in muscle tissue. Performing active cool-downs may partially prevent immune system depression and promote faster recovery of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. However, it is unknown whether this reduces the likelihood of post-exercise illnesses, syncope, and cardiovascular complications. Most evidence indicates that active cool-downs do not significantly reduce muscle soreness, or improve the recovery of indirect markers of muscle damage, neuromuscular contractile properties, musculotendinous stiffness, range of motion, systemic hormonal concentrations, or measures of psychological recovery. It can also interfere with muscle glycogen resynthesis. In summary, based on the empirical evidence currently available, active cool-downs are largely ineffective for improving most psychophysiological markers of post-exercise recovery, but may nevertheless offer some benefits compared with a passive cool-down.

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Section: Physiological Effects Of An Active Cool-downmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do We Need a Cool-Down After Exercise? A Narrative Review of the Psychophysiological Effects and the Effects on Performance, Injuries and the Long-Term Adaptive Response

Hooren

Peake

2018

Sports Med

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“…Thus, optimal recovery is essential to maximise an elite athlete’s performance [ 3 , 4 ]. Elite athletes utilise numerous recovery strategies [ 5 ]; however, sleep is perceived by athletes and researchers to be the most important recovery tool available [ 2 ]. Prior research has shown that sleep duration can be compromised during periods of high training demands, such as those experienced during preseason training [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep and Performance during a Preseason in Elite Rugby Union Athletes

Teece

Argus²,

Gill

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: Preseason training optimises adaptations in the physical qualities required in rugby union athletes. Sleep can be compromised during periods of intensified training. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between sleep quantity and changes in physical performance over a preseason phase in professional rugby union athletes. Methods: Twenty-nine professional rugby union athletes (Mean ± SD, age: 23 ± 3 years) had their sleep duration monitored for 3 weeks using wrist actigraphy. Strength and speed were assessed at baseline and at week 3. Aerobic capacity and body composition were assessed at baseline, at week 3 and at week 5. Participants were stratified into 2 groups for analysis: <7 h 30 min sleep per night (LOW, n = 15) and >7 h 30 min sleep per night (HIGH, n = 14). Results: A significant group x time interaction was determined for aerobic capacity (p = 0.02, d = 1.25) at week 3 and for skinfolds at week 3 (p < 0.01, d = 0.58) and at week 5 (p = 0.02, d = 0.92), in favour of the HIGH sleep group. No differences were evident between groups for strength or speed measures (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights that longer sleep duration during the preseason may assist in enhancing physical qualities including aerobic capacity and body composition in elite rugby union athletes.

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“…At the elite level, rugby training often occurs two or more times daily over two or more consecutive days during a week. 1,2 An imbalance between training stress and recovery can lead to an excessive level of accumulated fatigue over the training week 1 and undesirable chronic fatigue over a training phase. 3 Increased fatigue over time can lead to the athlete being unable to train at a required intensity or being unable to perform the desired training load.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 In order to reduce the harmful effect of fatigue and allow athletes to recover faster, athletes regularly implement different recovery modalities in their routines. 1,2,5 Previous literature has identified cold-water modalities as one of the most common recovery strategies implemented by elite rugby athletes. 1,2 The exposure to cold water decreases skin, core and muscle temperature, 6 leading to vasoconstriction, and consequently, it may decrease swelling and acute inflammation from muscle damage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2,5 Previous literature has identified cold-water modalities as one of the most common recovery strategies implemented by elite rugby athletes. 1,2 The exposure to cold water decreases skin, core and muscle temperature, 6 leading to vasoconstriction, and consequently, it may decrease swelling and acute inflammation from muscle damage. 7 Furthermore, the use of cold water immersion (CWI) contributes to a reduction in nerve conduction properties and to a decrease in muscle spasm and pain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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