Recovery-stress States Research Articles

Exploring the role of mindfulness in the stress-recovery balance: 10-Day monitoring of young BMX riders in an intensive training center during a pre-competition cycle

Considering mindfulness as a multidimensional disposition domain-specific skill and state, this study aimed to explore the effect of the dimensions of mindfulness on the trajectories of biopsychosocial stress-recovery balance and on HRV over 10 days of a pre-competitive cycle. 24 young BMX riders completed mindfulness disposition and domain-specific skill scales. Monitoring of the recovery-stress states was based on biopsychosocial measurements (daily and biweekly). RMSSD was used to assess the organism ability to cope with the training program stimulus. After each training session, riders self-rated their state of mindfulness. Multilevel growth curve analyses examined the linear and/or quadratic trajectories of the athletes’ recovery-stress states and the effect of mindfulness on these trajectories. Mindfulness states results showed that the refocusing state had a significant negative quadratic effect over time on daily recovery and sport-specific recovery, and the awareness state on general recovery and total recovery. Concerning the dispositions of mindfulness, the observing component had a significant positive quadratic effect over time on daily stress. Nonreactivity had a significant positive quadratic effect over time on daily recovery and sport-specific recovery, and a significant positive effect on RMSSD. Acting with awareness had a significant positive effect on daily recovery and a significant negative effect on RMSSD. The study offered a better understanding of the effect of mindfulness (dispositions, domain-specific skills, and states) and its different components on the stress-recovery balance. The results suggest that mindfulness could be considered a promising effective psychological recovery strategy.

Monitoring the recovery-stress states of athletes: Psychometric properties of the acute recovery and stress scale and short recovery stress scale among Dutch and Flemish athletes

ABSTRACT The Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) are recently-introduced instruments to monitor recovery and stress processes in athletes. In this study, our aims were to replicate and extend previous psychometric assessments of the instruments, by incorporating recovery and stress dimensions into one model. Therefore, we conducted five confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and determined structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. Dutch and Flemish athletes (N = 385, 213 females, 170 males, 2 others, 21.03 ± 5.44 years) completed the translated ARSS and SRSS, the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-76), the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Total Quality of Recovery (TQR). There was a good model fit for the replicated CFA, sub-optimal model fit for the models that incorporated recovery and stress into one model, and satisfactory internal consistency (α=.75 – .87). The correlations within and between the ARSS and SRSS, as well as between the ARSS/SRSS and the RESTQ-Sport-76 (r = .31 – -.77 for the ARSS, r = .28 – -.63 for the SRSS), the RPE (r = .19 – -.23), and the TQR (r = .63 – -.63) also supported construct validity. The combined findings support the use of the ARSS and SRSS to assess stress and recovery in sports-related research and practice.

Asynchronous Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Protocol Effects on Adolescent Athletes' Cognitive Appraisals and Recovery-Stress States.

This study examined the effect of an asynchronous heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BFBasync) protocol on national-level adolescent swimmers' cognitive appraisals and recovery-stress states during a six-week ecological training period. A polynomial mixed-effects multilevel regression analysis approach was used with 27 adolescent national-level swimmers randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 13). Six waves of assessments of cognitive appraisals and recovery-stress states were completed during six weeks of training preparation in ecological conditions. The results revealed that the HRV-BFBasync protocol significantly predicts lower levels of biopsychosocial stress states and cognitive stress. However, no significant effects were found for biopsychosocial recovery scales and cognitive perceived control. The results suggested that total stress states, sport-specific stress, and cognitive perceived stress evolutions are a function of polynomial time third-degree interactions with HRV-BFB protocol. Overall, this study suggested that the HRV-BFBasync protocol leads adolescent athletes to experience lower biopsychosocial and cognitive stress levels during training periodization. Our results also suggest that HRV-BFB induces complex evolutions over time for stress and recovery states but does not have a predictive function for the recovery states and perceived control.

Acute effects of mental recovery strategies in simulated air rifle competitions.

The present study aimed to assess the perception and change of mental and physical fatigue and to examine acute effects of mental recovery strategies in air rifle athletes across simulated competition days with two consecutive competition bouts. We conducted a randomized counterbalanced crossover study. 22 development air rifle athletes (Mage = 17.77 ± 4.0) of a regional squad participate in the study. The Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS), perception of mental fatigue, physical fatigue, concentration and motivation as well as differential Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were used to assess recovery-stress states and fatigue states. During a recovery break, participants underwent two mental recovery strategies (powernap, systematic breathing) or a control condition. Total shooting scores were recorded for both competition bouts. Study results revealed a significant increase of post ratings for mental (p < .001) and physical fatigue (p < .001) for both competition bouts. The correlation coefficient between change in mental and physical fatigue for both competitions revealed a shared variance of 7.9% and 18.6%, respectively. No significant group-based acute effects of the use of mental recovery strategies on shooting performance, and psychological and perceptual measures were found. On an individual level, results illustrated statistical relevant improvements of shooting performance after powernapping or systematic breathing. Mental and physical fatigue increased and accumulated across a simulated air rifle competition and mental fatigue emerged as a separate construct from physical fatigue. The use of strategies to accelerate mental recovery on an individual level (e.g., powernap, systematic breathing) may be a first step to manage a state of mental fatigue, but further studies on mental recovery strategies in an applied setting are needed.

Emotional Intelligence in Ultra-Marathon Runners: Implications for Recovery Strategy and Stress Responses during an Ultra-Endurance Race.

The aim of this research was to investigate the role of trait emotional intelligence (EI) in recovery stress states in a mountain ultra-marathon (MUM) race. Recovery stress states of 13 finishers were assessed before, during, and immediately after the end of an extreme MUM, whereas emotional intelligence was assessed 2 days before the MUM race. Temporal evolutions of recovery stress states were examined. Stress states increased after the race whereas recovery states decreased in all participants. In addition, recovery states were influenced by the trait EI level assessed before the competition. Results supported the hypothesis that trait EI tends to have a positive effect by boosting recovery strategies. In this perspective, trait EI could have a protective role against stress and improve pre-competition mental preparation. High scores of trait EI (in comparison to low scores of trait EI) could have helped athletes to increase recovery states in order to improve their psychological adaptation to one of the most difficult races in the world.

Perceived recovery and stress states as predictors of depressive, burnout, and insomnia symptoms among adolescent elite athletes

Abstract: Introduction: Finding ways to efficiently monitor the balance between recovery and stress is one of the most frequent requests from coaches and athletes and probably one of the best ways to prevent maladaptive psychological and physiological states. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to monitor recovery-stress states of adolescent elite athletes across an entire school year using the 32-item Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS), and to examine the predictive value of recovery and stress states for depressive symptoms, burnout symptoms, and insomnia symptoms. Methods: Data are based on a 10-month longitudinal observational study. The sample consisted of 135 adolescent elite athletes ( Mage=16.8 years) recruited from Swiss Olympic Partner Schools. The participants completed the ARSS 19 times (every second week), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at baseline and follow-up. Results: Participants reported higher recovery than stress states across the entire school year. However, lower recovery and higher stress states significantly predicted mental health problems as indexed by depressive, burnout and insomnia symptoms. The predictive power of recovery and stress states was similar for depressive and burnout symptoms. For insomnia symptoms, only recovery state was a significant predictor. Conclusion: Our study highlights that a short psychometric instrument allows longitudinal monitoring of recovery-stress states. Coaches are encouraged to implement such an instrument to identify periods that are characterized by high stress and/or low recovery. Continuous monitoring may allow the timely implementation of prevention and intervention strategies in the training process.

Recovery-Stress States of Professional Ballet Dancers During Different Phases of a Ballet Season.

Ballet dancers are exposed to chronic high training and performance demands that are associated with overtraining syndrome and injury. Balancing high training loads with recovery to reduce the risk of negative training adaptations is critical. Moreover, the recovery-stress states of professional ballet dancers during training phases of a season are largely unknown. Professional dancers (n = 27) from one classical ballet company in South Africa were monitored for two 8-week phases of a ballet season. A recovery-stress questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-76 Sport) was completed weekly during the rehearsal phase (P1) and the performance phase (P2), which took place at the start and the end of the ballet season, respectively. Comparisons were calculated between phases, sexes, and levels of performance with a mixed-model ANOVA and between demographic variables with a one-way ANOVA. The performance phase was signified by lower total recovery (TR, p < 0.01) and higher total stress (TS, p < 0.01) for the group. Female dancers had significantly lower recovery scores than male dancers during P2 (p < 0.01). No differences between levels of performance were found. Subscales previously associated with overreaching and injury were identified in certain groups during P2. In conclusion, P2 was a critical period where dancers, especially females, experienced high stress and low recovery. This could increase the risk for injury and negative training adaptations.

Mindfulness, recovery-stress balance, and well-being among university dance students

ABSTRACT Dance students face many physical and psychological stressors in their training and daily lives, therefore methods for coping with stress are essential for performance enhancement and general wellbeing. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between mindfulness, stress, recovery, and wellbeing among university level vocational dance students. Seventy-two dance students at two Australian universities completed online self-report measures of mindfulness, recovery-stress states, and affect. Correlation coefficients indicated a significant positive relationship between mindfulness and positive affect, and significant negative relationships between mindfulness and stress, and mindfulness and negative affect. MANOVA revealed differences between high mindfulness and low mindfulness groups on general stress, negative affect, and dance-specific recovery. The findings suggested that low mindfulness may be a risk factor for stress in general, and improvements in mindfulness may provide a protective buffer for students coping with a vast array of general and dance-specific demands.

Recovery-Stress Response of Blood-Based Biomarkers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate blood-based biomarkers and their regulation with regard to different recovery-stress states. A total of 35 male elite athletes (13 badminton, 22 soccer players) were recruited, and two venous blood samples were taken: one in a ‘recovered’ state (REC) after a minimum of one-day rest from exercise and another one in a ‘non-recovered’ state (NOR) after a habitual loading microcycle. Overall, 23 blood-based biomarkers of different physiologic domains, which address inflammation, muscle damage, and tissue repair, were analyzed by Luminex assays. Across all athletes, only creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL-) 6, and IL-17A showed higher concentrations at NOR compared to REC time points. In badminton players, higher levels of CK and IL-17A at NOR were found. In contrast, a higher value for S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) at REC was found in badminton players. Similar differences were found for BDNF in soccer players. Soccer players also showed increased levels of CK, and IL-6 at NOR compared to REC state. Several molecular markers were shown to be responsive to differing recovery-stress states, but their suitability as biomarkers in training must be further validated.

Acute Effects of Mental Recovery Strategies After a Mentally Fatiguing Task.

Both daily demands as well as training and competition characteristics in sports can result in a psychobiological state of mental fatigue leading to feelings of tiredness, lack of energy, an increased perception of effort, and performance decrements. Moreover, optimal performance will only be achievable if the balance between recovery and stress states is re-established. Consequently, recovery strategies are needed aiming at mental aspects of recovery. The aim of the study was to examine acute effects of potential mental recovery strategies (MR) on subjective-psychological and on cognitive performance outcomes after a mentally fatiguing task. A laboratory-based randomized cross-over study with twenty-four students (22.8 ± 3.6 years) was applied. Participants were run through a powernap intervention (PN), a systematic breathing intervention (SB), a systematic breathing plus mental imagery intervention (SB+), and a control condition (CC) with one trial a week over four consecutive weeks. Mental fatigue was induced by completion of the 60-min version of the AX-continuous performance test (AX-CPT). The Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were assessed to measure effects on perceptual outcomes. Cognitive performance was measured with a reaction time test of the Vienna Test System (VTS). During all three recovery interventions and CC portable polysomnography was applied. Results showed a significant increase from pre-AX-CPT to pre-MR on fatigue states and recovery-stress states indicating that the induction of mental fatigue was effective. Moreover, results underlined that analysis yielded no significant differences between recovery interventions and the control condition but they revealed significant time effects for VAS, SRSS items, and cognitive performance. However, it could be derived that the application of a rest break with 20 min of mental recovery strategies appears to enhance recovery on a mainly mental and emotional level and to reduce perceived mental fatigue.

Current considerations and future directions of psychometric training monitoring of recovery-stress states

The present article aims at providing an overview of basic requirements and considerations in the area of psychometric training monitoring in elite sports. Theoretical foundations and practical demands on the selection and implementation of psychometric instruments are summarized and exemplified by the assessment of recovery-stress states. Most importantly, validated and evidence-based questionnaires should be preferred over self-built scales to obtain meaningful data. › Additionally, current trends and approaches of individualized data analyses to guide an informed decision are discussed. Further research on the applicability of statistical strategies for psychometric data is required. Digital and automatic processing of the data may reduce participant burden, while control over the algorithm and inferences should be maintained by human beings. › In essence, psychometric monitoring of the recovery-stress state may serve as supplement to training and regeneration management, provided that the aims and procedures are made transparent, proportionate and reasonable.

Stress and recovery in sports: Effects on heart rate variability, cortisol, and subjective experience

This study aimed to investigate (1) the time-variations and (2) the repeated measures relationship between training load (TL) and psychological and physiological parameters and performance. Data were collected around 12-weeks of training in fifteen national swimmers. Psychological states were assessed using the RESTQ-36-R-Sport Questionnaire and the Sport Emotion Questionnaire. Subjects collected four saliva samples throughout the day at 1) 7 a.m. immediately after waking, 2) 30 min after waking, 3) 60 min after waking, and 4) 8 p.m., allowing us to calculate the area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) and the sAA over cortisol ratio (AOC). Finally, heart rate variability was computed using a submaximal 5′-5′ running test. Time variations were analyzed throughout repeated measures ANOVA and repeated measures correlations were run using the “rmcorr” R package. Recovery-stress states and emotional markers showed quadratic curves, while parasympathetic markers showed linear trajectories over time. Significant associations over time were found between TL and recovery, stress, emotional states, lnRMSSD and the AOC. Taken together, these results provided evidence that psychological and physiological states do not follow the same dynamics (i.e., linear vs. quadratic vs. no variation) in the functional training periodization condition. Our study also provided evidence that recovery-stress states, emotional states, lnRMSSD, and the AOC were of interest due to their intra-individual associations around the time with TL.

The time courses of runners’ recovery-stress responses after a mountain ultra-marathon: Do appraisals matter?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to: (a) examine the time courses of runners’ recovery-stress states within the month following a demanding Mountain Ultra-Marathon (MUM) race; and (b) explore the role of primary and secondary appraisals in these trajectories. Design: A seven-wave one-month longitudinal design was used with one measurement point within two days before the race to measure appraisals and six time points within the month following the race to assess recovery-stress states experienced by athletes. Method: A multilevel growth curve analysis approach was used among a sample of 29 MUM runners. Results: Recovery-stress states were characterized by distinct trajectories during the month following MUM race. Results of multilevel growth curve analyses showed significant linear increases of general and total recovery, significant linear decreases of general, sport-specific and total stress and a positive quadratic effect of squared time (U shape over time) on specific recovery. Primary appraisal significantly positively predicted levels of sport-specific recovery, total, general and sport-specific stress and significantly negatively predicted total and general recovery. Secondary appraisal significantly negatively predicted total and general stress. Conclusions: This study provided insights into the role played by appraisals on the recovery-stress states experienced by MUM runners the month following a demanding MUM race. Operational strategies were suggested in order to optimize the recovery-stress balance and in turn psychological adaptation processes in response to an ultra-endurance race.

Elite swimmers' internal markers trajectories in ecological training conditions.

This study examined the trajectories of elite swimmers' recovery-stress states and cardiac vagal-related markers during a 3-month training period preceding the national championship and their within-person relationships with perceived control. A Multilevel Growth Curve Analysis (MGCA) approach was used with 21 male elite swimmers. Four waves of assessments of psychological (stress, recovery, perceived control) and physiological (heart rate recovery, heart rate variability) markers were completed during a 3month training preparation leading to a major competition. Results of MGCA revealed (a) a significant positive linear effect of time (ie, linear increase over time) and a significant negative quadratic effect of time (ie, inverted U shape over time) on perceived stress whereas the opposite pattern of results was observed for perceived recovery; and (b) a significant positive linear effect of time for nHRR60. Both at level 1 (within-person level of analysis) and 2 (between-person level of analysis), perceived control was (a) positively associated with athletes' perceived recovery and parasympathetic markers (ie, MeanRR; pNN50); and (b) negatively related to swimmers' perceived stress. Results also indicated that within-person interactions of perceived control with time reached significance for general recovery and HRV. Finally, within-person interaction of perceived control with squared time reached significance for subjective sport-specific and total stress. Overall, this study provided insights into the key role played by perceived control on both psychological and physiological markers related to recovery-stress states' levels during the 3-month training period preceding the national championship.

Development of pre- and post-match morning recovery-stress states during in-season weeks in elite youth football

ABSTRACTObjectives: The aim of this study was to examine how matches affect self-report measures of physical, mental, and emotional states in order to set a base for developing specific recovery approaches.Methods: A total of 25 players (Mage = 17.5, SD = .5 yrs.) of an U19-Junioren-Bundesliga team participated over the entire 6-month assessment period. The players completed the Short Recovery and Stress Scale twice a week on Monday and Friday mornings between 7 and 9am. During the assessment period the players participated in 12 match days.Results: Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed significant main effects for changes from Friday to Monday ratings in players who played more than 60 min (regular players) and less than 60 min (substitutes). The regular players were more physically and mentally stressed after matches whereas the substitutes experienced higher emotional stress when comparing Mondays’ and Fridays’ stress ratings.Conclusions: Therefore, matches affect those who played more than 60 min differently compared to those who played less than 60 min. This was the case not only for physical recovery-stress ratings but also for mental, emotional and overall self-reports. Consequently, coaches should take the self-ratings of their players into account to create efficient training regimens to prevent negative consequences such as underrecovery or overtraining.

Changes of Swimmers' Emotional States during the Preparation of National Championship: Do Recovery-Stress States Matter?

This study examined the trajectories of emotional states and their within-person synergies with perceived stress and recovery during a 4-month training period preceding the French swimming championships. A Multilevel Growth Curve Analysis approach was used with 16 high level swimmers. Five waves of assessments of emotional states, perceived stress and recovery were completed. Results indicated that emotional states were characterized by distinct trajectories during the training period preceding a major competition. Specifically, significant positive linear effects of time (i.e., linear increase over time) and negative quadratic effects of squared time (i.e., inverted U shape over time) on anxiety, dejection and anger were observed, whereas the opposite pattern of results was found for happiness and excitement. Moreover, level 2 perceived stress and recovery (i.e., inter-individual predictors) were significantly associated with athletes’ unpleasant and pleasant emotional states respectively. At level 1, perceived recovery (i.e., intra-individual predictor) was positively associated with happiness and excitement and negatively related to anxiety, dejection and anger. Finally, within-person interactions of general stress and recovery with time and squared time reached significance for excitement, whereas within-person interactions of specific and total stress with time and squared time reached significance for anxiety. Overall, this study provided insights into the central role played by perceived stress and recovery on the emotional states experienced by high level swimmers. Operational strategies were suggested in order to optimize the stress-recovery balance and in turn the athletes’ emotional states during a complete training program.

Development of two short measures for recovery and stress in sport

The Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale were first established in German for the purposes of monitoring athletes’ current recovery-stress states in an economical and multidimensional manner. The aim of this paper is to document the development and initial validation of the English versions of these two psychometric monitoring tools. A total of 267 English-speaking athletes from a variety of team and individual sports participated in the study. The English versions demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency for both instruments (Cronbach α of .74–.89). Furthermore, good model fit was found for the eight scales of the ARSS, matching the structure and results of the German counterparts. Correlations among and between the scales reciprocate the theoretical constructs of stress and recovery, supporting the construct validity of the scales. Correlation coefficients within stress and recovery ranged between rs = .29 and .68. The correlations between stress and recovery varied between rs = −.29 and −.64. These constructs were further supported by correlations with the scores of the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes, thereby showing convergent validity. The findings demonstrate initial validity and reliability of the two measures and reflect the results of the German versions. However, further research is needed before applying these scales in practical settings.

Psychological Skills during Training and Competition on Recovery-Stress State among Adolescent State Athletes

The relationship between self-report psychological skills and recovery-stress state was investigated. Seventy adolescent state athletes in Malaysia completed the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS), and Recovery-Stress questionnaire (RESTQ-Sport). Correlation analysis was used to determine the significant relationship between the psychological skills and recovery-stress subscales. The results showed that there were significant correlations between the psychological skills and recovery-stress states. For psychological skills during practice, the strongest correlations were observed in attention control and general stress (r = -0.48, p < 0.01), goal setting and total recovery (r = 0.72, p < 0.01), and psychological skills during competition, the strongest correlations were observed in self-talk and general stress (r = -0.55, p < 0.01), goal setting and total recovery (r = 0.57, p < 0.01). The direction (positive or negative) of correlations showed that individuals reporting frequent use of psychological skills also reported lower state of stress and higher state of recovery in their sport during practice and competition. Future researchers should seek to establish the path relationships by investigating whether demographic variables, physical fitness level and other psychological measures that may associated with recovery-stress states and the use of psychological skills for athletes.

Stress and Recovery Responses during a 105‐day Ground‐based Space Simulation

The present study analysed the time course of the psychological process of stress and recovery in six healthy male volunteers during the Mars 105 experimentation, a 105-day ground-based space analogue. The multidimensional assessment of stress and recovery responses showed that stress levels decreased significantly throughout the 105-day isolated and confined extreme (ICE) experiment, especially on its social dimension. In line with previous studies, Fatigue showed a global and progressive reduction. The present results suggest that ICE exposure may not systematically induce stress overload and impaired psychological states. To optimize adaptation to ICE conditions, further improvements in positive psychological effects may be possible by improving the countermeasures, as well as the screening and selection of participants, in order to enhance coping capacities and to improve the balance of recovery-stress states.

Under Recovery and Drop Jump Characteristics During a Collegiate Basketball Season in Female Basketball Players

Collegiate basketball is a demanding sport that requires extensive in-season training which can sometimes lead to under- recovery potentially resulting in poor performance, injury, or illness. To minimize the risk of this occurring and to promote optimal performance across the season, frequent testing may be necessary. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the performance characteristics and in-season recovery of female basketball players using drop jump characteristics: contact time (CT), flight time (FT), relative peak force (RPF), rate of force development (RFD), jump height (JH), reactive strength index (RSI), and recovery-stress states (RESTQ-Sport). METHODS: Participants were 14 NCAA Division-1 female basketball players (age = 19.29 ± 1.54 years, mass = 76.09 ± 14.09kg, height = 178.70 ± 6.3cm). During each test session, participants filled out the REST-Q Sport questionnaire, which assesses self-perceived stress and recovery, prior to performing two drop jumps. The jump trials were performed with an arm swing from a height of 30cm onto two 400x600mm forceplates (AMTI, Model OR-6, Watertown, MA) with data sampled at 1000 Hz. Participants were assessed on three occasions (T1, T2, T3) over the month of preseason training with approximately two weeks between test dates and on four occasions (T4, T5, T6, T7) throughout the season. Total recovery stress score, global recovery score, and global stress score were also calculated throughout the season. RESULTS: With the significance level set at p<0.05, repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in FT (p = 0.017), JH (p = .000), and RSI (p = 0.018) across time. Significant differences in FT were found between T1 (.453 ± 0.03s) to T3 (.436 ± 0.04s, p = 0.043) and to T4 (.432 ± .02, p = 0.035). There were significant differences in JH between T1 (.254 ± 0.03m) to T3 (.233 ± 0.04m, p = 0.021), T4 (.230 ± .02, p = 0.035), and to T7 (.230 ± .02m, p = .000). RSI was found to be significant between T1 (.651 ± .25) to T3 (.607 ± .20, p = 0.045) and to T4 (.559 ± .018, p = 0.027). Significant differences were also observed in total- recovery stress score (p = 0.001), global recovery (p = 0.001), and global stress scores (p = 0.01). Total-recovery stress was significant between T1 (4.68 ± 13.12) to T2 (.447 ± 11.52, p = 0.023), T4 (−1.91 ± 11.80, p = 0.010), T5 (−11.30 ± 21.30, p = 0.007), and to T6 (−5.73 ± 8.58, p = 0.005). Global recovery was significant between T1 (28.82 ± 9.38) to T4 (23.13 ± 7.76, p = 0.013), T5 (21.02 ± 9.53, p = 0.012), and to T6 (22.41 ± 6.06, p = 0.005). Global stress was significant between T1 (24.14 ± 7.21) to T5 (32.32 ± 12.99, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The results show drop jump characteristics declined throughout the course of a basketball season. The abnormally high stress scores and low recovery scores may suggest a hindrance in female basketball players' ability to perform well at the end of the season. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The data justifies using simple performance and psychological tests to help strength and conditioning coaches monitor information regarding stress and recovery of female collegiate athletes during in-season training.