RECOVERY REVIEW – SCIENCE VS. PRACTICE.

 

Australian Institute of Sport
 

 

Recovery has been identified as an important component of athletic performance. Despite the obvious popularity, there is a lack of scientific evidence for the validity of many recovery interventions. Because of this, the ability to prescribe discrete and specific recommendations for recovery interventions in elite sport is not feasible.  Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide practitioners with current scientific information in the area of recovery and elite athlete performance, and where possible provide recommendations regarding usage.

 

It is important to consider that while scientific evidence for certain recovery interventions may be lacking this review does not dismiss the importance of anecdotal reports by elite athletes. As research in the area of recovery is in its infancy it would be inappropriate to suggest that certain recovery interventions may not be beneficial simply as a consequence of limited scientific investigation.