Year: 2008
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: There is general consensus that athletes, striving to compete and perform at the highest level, should optimally balance training and competition stress with adequate regeneration.Although a well-planned training programme is of utmost importance, the time between training sessions and competitions is critical for the modern-day athlete.It is suggested that athletes should apply a variety of recovery methods to enhance the regeneration process.Although team sport is a popular entity throughout the world, there is limited published research on the regeneration process in team athletes and recovery methods to enhance the regeneration process.The aim of this study was to develop a model that could serve as a guideline for the regeneration of team athletes within the South African context.Two phases were involved in the process of developing a model.Phase one involved a research of literature in order to assess which strategies can be implemented for athletic regeneration, and what information team athletes are given for regeneration.The second phase involved an investigation into the recovery strategies that are currently used for regeneration by elite South African team players during the competitive phase of the year.Research questions focused on the recovery methods used by players, the perceived importance of various recovery methods to the players, and the relationship between sport and level of participation in the use of recovery strategies.This study did not attempt to assess the knowledge of the players on recovery methods.The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University.A total of 890 elite South African team sport players (mean age 22.26 ±3.37 years) from hockey (n=213), netball (n=215), rugby (n=317) and soccer (n=145) participated in the study.The total group of players consisted of 57% males (n=507) and 43% females (n=383).Players included in the study had to participate in the highest division of the major competitions and tournaments of their sport during the 2007-season.Of the total group, 75% (n=668) of the players were from national and provincial teams, and 25% (n=222) from A-division club teams.Data were collected by means of a survey through a once-off cross-sectional research design.A self-administered questionnaire, specifically designed for the study, was used for data collection.Informed (written) consent was given and responses iii were treated as confidential and anonymous.The response rate for the total group was 74%.Players had to indicate, amongst others, how they perceived the importance of various recovery methods to their physiological and psychosocial regeneration.The following recovery methods received the highest ratings in terms of importance for the total group (in rank order): sleep, regular healthy meals, fluid intake, prayer, socialise with friends, discussion with teammates after training/match, discussion with coach after training/match, active cool-down, snacks after match, music, and an ice bath.With regard to the recovery methods that players actually used, players had to indicate whether they use the specific recovery method and when they are using it (after training, between training sessions, after matches, on non-training days where applicable).Results revealed that the recovery method that was used the most after training by all players from the four sport codes was an active cool-down.The recovery method used the most after matches by hockey, netball and soccer players was an active cool-down.Rugby players use a strategy for fluid replacement the most.The two recovery methods used the most after matches are the same for the different levels of participation, namely, an active cool-down and a strategy for fluid replacement.Results from the current study showed that the only recovery method that is used on a regular basis is an active cool-down after training and matches by hockey, netball and soccer players.Other recovery methods are not applied regularly.Results from this study suggest that there is a need for athlete and coach education with regard to the use of a variety of recovery methods in the regeneration process of team players.A model is proposed for the psychophysiological regeneration of elite team players that could serve as a guideline for team players within the South African context.The model emphasises a multi-dimensional holistic approach to the regeneration of team athletes.Players experience stress in many areas (e.g., physical, emotional, social) and different regeneration strategies are needed to address these areas.This necessitates a focused and planned strategy for regeneration.Regular monitoring of the fatigue and regeneration status of players through invasive and non-invasive techniques was finally emphasised.
Author: Ranel Venter
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2146171591