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| Author/Association: | Li S, Kempe M, Brink M, Lemmink K |
| Title: | Effectiveness of recovery strategies after training and competition in endurance athletes: an umbrella review [with consumer summary] |
| Source: | Sports Medicine Open 2024 May 16;10(55):Epub |
| Method: | systematic review |
| Method Score: | This is a systematic review. Systematic reviews are not rated. |
| Consumer Summary: | KEY POINTS: This is the first review that provides a global overview on the effectiveness of different (training) recovery strategies for endurance athletes. Research on training recovery in endurance athletes is sparse. While the use of compression garments and cold-water immersion seems to improve training recovery, none of the included recovery strategies have shown consistent recovery benefits in general. Endurance athletes seem to react differently to the application of specific strategies compared to, eg, team sports athletes. Therefore, future research (reviews) should focus on endurance athletes instead of mixed groups of athletes. |
| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Recovery strategies are used to enhance performance and reduce injury risk in athletes. In previous systematic reviews, individual recovery strategies were investigated to clarify their effectiveness for mixed groups of athletes. However, the current evidence is ambiguous, and a clear overview of (training) recovery for endurance athletes is still lacking. METHODS: We conducted an umbrella review based on a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science. Reviews published in English and before December 2022 were included. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were eligible if they investigated the effectiveness of one or more recovery strategies compared with a placebo or control group after a training session in endurance athletes. RESULTS: Twenty-two reviews (nine systematic reviews, three meta-analyses, and ten systematic reviews with meta-analyses included) met the inclusion criteria. In total, sixty-three studies with 1100 endurance athletes were included in our umbrella review. Out of the sixty-three studies, eight provided information on training recovery time frame for data synthesis. Among them, cryotherapy and compression garments showed positive effects, while applying massage showed no effect. In general, none of the included recovery strategies showed consistent benefits for endurance athletes. CONCLUSION: There is no particular recovery strategy that can be advised to enhance recovery between training sessions or competitions in endurance athletes. However, individual studies suggest that compression garments and cryotherapy are effective training recovery strategies. Further research should improve methodology and focus on the different time courses of the recovery process. REGISTRATION: The review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with the number CRD42021260509. Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):  help |
