Sports science: recovery in basketball

Sports science: recovery in basketball

SPORTS SCIENCE: Recovery in Basketball – Move Faster from Science to Practice. This presentation shall provide an overview of current knowledge on recovery for elite basketball players. As recovery is multifaceted, we first must define ‘recovery’, and what that means in ‘context’ to the professional basketball environment.

In order to provide central definitions, theoretical frameworks, and practical implications as a synopsis of the current knowledge of recovery and performance, the Recovery Consensus statement by Kellmann and colleagues will be unpacked. Recovery is often used as a umbrella term, which can be further characterized by different modalities of recovery such as regeneration or psychological recovery strategies. Regeneration in sport and exercise refers to the physiological aspect of recovery and ideally follows physical fatigue induced by training or competition.

However, a certain degree of fatigue resulting in functional overreaching is required for performance enhancement and can be compensated through comprehensive recovery. This requires a delicate balance in case systematic and individualized recovery is not achieved after training and functional overreaching. Recovery and fatigue can be seen on a continuum (recovery–fatigue continuum). Therefore, a continuous imbalance of inadequate recovery and excessive demands could initiate a cascade of deleterious conditions including under-recovery and non-functional overreaching.

Translating the latest research in passive, active, and proactive methods of recovery. Frequently applied and scientifically evaluated recovery and regeneration strategies include cold-water immersion, contrast water therapy, stretching, whole-body cryotherapy, compression garments, massage, intermittent pneumatic compression, electrostimulation, sauna, far-infrared therapy, and sleep, Along with psychological recovery strategies such as cognitive self-regulation, positive suggestion, creative visualisation, anchoring and relaxation techniques.

While potential short-term recovery benefits have been reported that apply to such popular recovery interventions, the long-term adaptation and performance effects remain relatively undetermined. Ultimately, three key factors should direct what recovery strategies to use, these being efficacy, accessibility, and acceptance by athletes.

There are several recovery and regeneration strategies frequently applied in practice and scientifically evaluated in research that can be broadly themed into 4 key recovery domains: (1) Neural (2) Muscular (3) Substrate and (4) Psychological. Strategies include cold-water immersion, contrast water therapy, stretching, whole-body cryotherapy, compression garments, massage, intermittent pneumatic compression, electrostimulation, sauna, far-infrared therapy, sleep nutrition and hydration. Along with psychological recovery strategies such as cognitive self-regulation, positive suggestion, creative visualisation, anchoring and relaxation techniques.

While potential short-term recovery benefits have been reported that apply to the above listed recovery strategies, the long-term adaptation and performance effects remain relatively undetermined. Ultimately, three key factors should direct your choice of recovery strategies, these being the efficacy, the accessibility, and the acceptance by athletes, in the context of your environment. Finally, to successful educate coaches and players the Recovery Pyramid and Recovery Points Checklist with provide a practical application of such recovery methods in the context of professional basketball.