How recovery postures influence performance during multiple sprint shuttles

Recovery from exercise is arguably one of the most essential traits in training and competition to reduce fatigue and improve performance. Therefore, individuals should utilize the best short- and long-term recovery strategies to improve their physiological and psychological abilities. This study aimed to examine the effects of two different standing recovery postures, Hands on the Knees (HK) and Hands on the Head (HH), in between performing three 150-yard (150-YD) sprint shuttles. Heart rate recovery (HRR) was collected, along with shuttle completion times for comparison. There were no significant differences between trials 1, 2, 3, and average shuttle completion times between the HK and HH recovery methods. However, significant differences occurred in trials 1, 2, 3, and average recovery heart rates (p = .03 - .00), with small to moderate effect sizes. The data indicates that the HK posture may be more beneficial than the HH position due to its enhanced HRR capabilities during high-intensity sprinting. Future expansive research is needed to determine how recovery positions can impact higher volume high-intensity sprinting bouts from both recovery and performance perspectives in field settings.