A Multidimensional Approach to Enhancing Recovery

I n designing any training program, it must be remembered that athletes can achieve optimal performance only when they are able to “optimally balance training stress and subsequent recovery” (13). Unfortunately, despite the importance of optimal recovery within any training program, recovery is often inadequately addressed. Time devoted to planning the training is often far disproportionate to the time spent planning the recovery. For athletes to achieve optimal performance, proactive recovery must become a planned and systematic part of any training program.