Table 1 Mean participant ratings (1-5) of the importance of different reasons why specific recovery strategies are used; 1 = not important reason; 3 = neither important nor unimportant reason; 5 = very important reason
From: Team sport athletes’ perceptions and use of recovery strategies: a mixed-methods survey study
Reasons why a recovery is performed (selected from a list of predetermined options) | Active, land-based recovery (N = 82) | Active, water-based recovery (N = 100) | Stretching (N = 144) | Cold water immersion (N = 89) | Contrast water therapy (N = 52) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helps me to wind down and relax | 3.5 a | 3.8 b | 3.7 b | 3.3 | 3.6 |
Gives me time to socialise with team mates | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.0 |
Gives me time to reflect on the training session or match | 3.3 c | 3.1 | 3.3 c | 3.2 | 3.0 |
Makes me feel good | 3.4 d | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Is what I have seen the elite athletes do | 2.6 d | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.4 d | 2.9 |
Is something the coach told me to do | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
Will increase muscle performance | 3.2 d | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.0 d | 3.6 |
Speeds up removal of waste product from muscles | 3.6 e | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
Decreases muscle soreness | 3.9 f | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Reduces swelling and inflammation | 3.4 c | 3.6 | 3.7 | 4.2 d | 3.8 |
Reduces muscle spasms | 3.3 a,b,f | 3.8 c | 3.8 c | 3.7 | 3.5 |
Increases blood circulation | 3.7 | 3.8 e | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Reduces stress and anxiety | 3.2 a | 3.7 e | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
Makes me feel energetic | 2.9 a | 3.3 b | 3.1 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
Can improve healing | 3.3 d | 3.7 b,f | 4.0 c | 4.1 c | 3.6 |
Helps me to switch off | 3.0 a | 3.3 b,f | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
Helps me to be able to train/compete hard again in the next session/game | 3.5 d | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Lowers heart rate | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
Creates a pumping action in the muscles | 2.9 a | 3.2 f | 2.8 e | 3.0 | 3.1 |