{"id":246,"date":"2011-09-12T03:07:46","date_gmt":"2011-09-12T03:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/optimumsportsperformance.com\/blog\/?p=246"},"modified":"2019-01-19T23:25:54","modified_gmt":"2019-01-19T23:25:54","slug":"recovery-for-high-school-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/optimumsportsperformance.com\/blog\/recovery-for-high-school-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Recovery for (High School) Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have gotten a number of email questions recently about recovery strategies for high school athletes so I felt that it would be easier to address these questions in a blog post as many may have similar questions and my replies are typically very similar.\u00a0 I put the words \u201chigh school\u201d in parentheses because the this information does not only apply to high school athletes but really to all athletes in general.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are some recovery techniques I can use for my high school athletes to help them recover faster following training?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I think the important thing to remember about recovery strategies is that you want to use them when you need them.\u00a0 Obviously there are times when recovery modalities are needed (after games, as the season goes on and athletes tend to get beat up, or during phases of training where there is a particularly high level of intensity and\/or volume) but it shouldn\u2019t be something you need to do all the time.\u00a0 You have to consider the fact that the whole process of training is to increase some stress, disrupt homeostasis, and then allow the athlete to adapt and improve.\u00a0 The increased inflammation, changes in hormonal state, and break down of tissue, while often thought of as being a \u201cnegative\u201d thing, is actually a normal process and can be beneficial as it is these sorts of markers which tell the body to adapt to the stimulus just placed upon it.<\/p>\n

Another thing to remember is that the more fit an individual becomes the better prepared they are to tolerate the rigors of training, the higher their stress resistance will be, and the less they will need to rely on recovery modalities.<\/p>\n

Too often athletes want to rush to the ice bath, massage table, or sauna because they want to \u201crecover\u201d, when often times they are out of shape and not able to tolerate the training volume\/intensity.\u00a0 Either that or they are not doing the little things well \u2013 eating healthy meals, consuming adequate amounts of nutrients, and getting a proper amount of sleep.<\/p>\n

One of the best things you can do for recovery is having a good training program with sound progressions.\u00a0 Coaches and athletes are often quick to rush through the general physical preparation phase of training to get to the more\u00a0sexy\u00a0<\/em>progressions like intense plyometrics, max strength work, and high volumes of intense sprints.\u00a0 While there is certainly nothing wrong with these training methods\u00a0it is important to take the time to allow the athletes to develop a high level of fitness so that they can handle this sort of stress and\u00a0effectively adapt to it and prepare their body to handle more advanced and more intense forms of training\u00a0(this is especially important for younger athletes who are less developed).\u00a0 This means placing a high emphasis on general preparation.<\/p>\n

Some key things to consider:<\/p>\n