Abstract
Key Points Central fatigue is accepted as a contributor to overall athletic performance, yet little research directly investigates post-exercise recovery strategies targeting the brainCurrent post-exercise recovery strategies likely impact on the brain through a range of mechanisms, but improvements to these strategies is neededResearch is required to optimize post-exercise recovery with a focus on the brainPost-exercise recovery has largely focused on peripheral mechanisms of fatigue, but there is growing acceptance that fatigue is also contributed to through central mechanisms which demands that attention should be paid to optimizing recovery of the brain. In this narrative review we assemble evidence for the role that many currently utilized recovery strategies may have on the brain, as well as potential mechanisms for their action. The review provides discussion of how common nutritional strategies as well as physical modalities and methods to reduce mental fatigue are likely to interact with the brain, and offer an opportunity for subsequent improved performance. We aim to highlight the fact that many recovery strategies have been designed with the periphery in mind, and that refinement of current methods are likely to provide improvements in minimizing brain fatigue. Whilst we offer a number of recommendations, it is evident that there are many opportunities for improving the research, and practical guidelines in this area.
Highlights
Recovery from exercise is the process whereby the body is returned to a pre-exercise state (Halson and Jeukendrup, 2004; Barnett, 2006)
Psychobiology could refer to any interaction between psychology and the biological state of the brain and it is under this slightly broader definition that we argue for improving recovery strategies as it relates to exercise and sporting performance
While there are very few studies to examine sleep as a recovery strategy following exercise, there has been a plethora of research performed to assess changes in brain function associated with sleep deprivation (Durmer and Dinges, 2005)
Summary
Recovery from exercise is the process whereby the body is returned to a pre-exercise state (Halson and Jeukendrup, 2004; Barnett, 2006). Real recovery must address all three - @frankdickcoach, 21st November 2013 Despite this anecdotal acceptance, little research has investigated how contemporary recovery strategies impact on the brain. Little research has investigated how contemporary recovery strategies impact on the brain It appears that restoration of peripheral fatigue will improve afferent feedback, recovery techniques have been shown to directly affect the brain. Minett and Duffield (2014) highlighted the need to ameliorate central nervous system (CNS; including the brain) related fatigue during recovery but provided little insight into how this might occur. In this narrative review, the potential for common recovery practices to assist in brain recovery are highlighted. We make the case that future research should focus on better understanding the role of the brain in recovery, and offer some thoughts on future research in this area
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