Relaxation applied to recovery from training: implications for preventing overtraining

Abstract

Prevention of overtraining has typically focused on monitoring and adjusting training loads, while the recovery period between training sessions remains largely overlooked, except in relation to diet and sleep. Relaxation practice following training is proposed to enhance recovery, and thereby help prevent the overtraining syndrome and related conditions. This study tested the effects of a relaxation protocol on recovery of salivary immunoglobulin-A. which is a first line of defense for upper respiratory infections as well as an overtraining marker, in 14 male swimmers (aged 18-22) during their heaviest training period. Samples were collected pre- and post- morning and afternoon training sessions over two days. The relaxation intervention was introduced following morning practice for half the swimmers on Day 1 and for the other half on Day 2. to permit between- and within-participant comparisons. Modest improvements were found following the relaxation condition compared to controls. While preliminary results are promising. questions remain regarding optimal techniques and timing of practice, objective measures for relaxation, associated measures related to recovery, and relationship to health and performance.