Recovery Strategies After Sport Competitions: A Comparison of Modern Methods and Their Effects on Performance : A Systematic Review

Numerous recovery strategies can be found nowadays and it is difficult for an athlete or coach to choose the best to optimize the recovery process after a sport competition. The present systematic review is aimed to determine the effect of modern recovery strategies after a competition on subsequent performance. The databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORT Discus were searched from May 21 to May 30, 2021. Types of participants considered were healthy people practising any sport, including an intervention with a modern recovery strategy after a competition that assessed a sporting performance parameter. Two reviewers selected the studies, extracted data and appraised the quality of the included studies. In total, 25 studies with 311 participants met the eligibility criteria. According to the results, cold water immersion showed positive effects on subsequent sport performance after competition, especially in time-trial-based disciplines, although the magnitude of this effect depended on the intensity of the preceding exercise and the water temperature. Active recovery was effective only when the subsequent bout was 24 h after the competition. Massage, compression garments and stretching were not effective to improve performance during the recovery period. Based on the present review, cold water immersion is the most used and effective method to improve performance after a sport competition. These findings will contribute toward a better understanding of modern recovery strategies and provide valuable information to athletes and coaches on how to optimize recovery after competition