Optimizing recovery strategies for winter athletes: insights for Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games

Abstract Purpose This narrative umbrella review evaluates the efficacy of recovery strategies for elite winter sports athletes by comparing their scientific and clinical validity. It aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for coaches and athletes, preparing them for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games through a critical evaluation of various post-training and competition recovery methods. Methods This narrative umbrella review involved a systematic literature search on PubMed, focusing on recent meta-analyses and review articles related to recovery strategies. Special emphasis was placed on their practical applications to ensure the findings are relevant to real-world settings. Results The study examined multiple recovery strategies, including sleep, nutrition, and physical methods, revealing a general scarcity of high-quality studies and insufficient control over placebo effects. A key finding emphasizes the crucial roles of nutrition and sleep in the recovery process, highlighting the need for personalized recovery plans tailored to the athlete's and sport's specific demands. The effectiveness of physical recovery methods varied, with some demonstrating significant benefits in specific contexts (e.g., massage and cold-water immersion to alleviate muscle pain and fatigue), whereas others (e.g., stretching and sauna) lacked robust evidence of their efficacy as recovery methods. Conclusion This paper presents recommendations for optimizing recovery strategies in elite winter sports, focusing on the specific demands of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. It provides a framework for athletes and coaches aiming to enhance performance recovery and achieve optimal athletic condition.