Physiological And Medical Strategies In Post-Competition Recovery–Practical Implications Based On Scientific Evidence

Authors

Calleja Julio, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country
Jukić Igor, Faculty of Kinesiology
Ostojić Sergej, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad
Terrados Nicolás, Departamento de biología Funcional, Universidad de Oviedo

Abstract

Recovery from exercise is an important factor in the performance. During competition, where athletes may compete numerous times over a few days, enhancing recovery may provide a competitive strategy. Nutrition significantly influences sports recovery; however, the efficacy of any nutritional supplement should be carefully considered in relation to the event on the one hand, and the sex, training and nutritional status of the athletes on the other. In addition to the replenishment of muscle glycogen, there are other major objectives of post-competition recovery that have been examined in scientific literature and applied in the field. These include restoration of body fluid balance, improved performance (or training stimulus) in subsequent exercise tasks, increased protein synthesis, attenuated protein degradation, and attenuated muscle damage/muscle soreness. However, each new recovery strategy should be practised in training before it is used in competition.

Keywords

fatigue, exercise-induced muscle injury, protein, sleep, probiotics

Download full article

References

Baar, K. (2006). To perform your best: work hard not long. J Physiol., 575(3): 901-911.
Bassel-Duby, R., & Olson, E. N. (2006). Signaling pathways in skeletal muscle remodeling. Annu Rev Biochem., 75: 19-37.
Berning, J., Coyle, E. F., Garcia, P. R., O'Connor, H., Orbeta, S., & Terrados, N. (1998). Sports foods for athletes; what works? Sports Science Exchange. 9(2): 1-5.
Davison, G., Gleeson, M., & Phillips S. (2007). Antioxidant supplementation and immunoendocrine responses to prolonged exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc., 39(4): 645-52.
De Bock, K., Derave, W., Eijnde, B. O., Hesselink, M. K., Koninckx, E., Rose, A. J., Schrauwen, P., Bonen, A., Richter, E. A., & Hespel P. (2008). Effect of training in the fasted state on metabolic responses during exercise with carbohydrate intake. J Appl Physiol., 104(4): 1045-55.
Fearon, K. C. H., von Meyenfeldt, M. F., Moses, A. G. W., van Geenen, R., Roy, A., Gouma, D. J., Giacosa, G. J., Van Gossum, A., Bauer, J., Barber, M. D., Aaronson, N. K., Voss, A. C., & Tisdale, M. J. (2003). Effect of a protein and energy dense n-3 fatty acid enriched oral supplement on loss of weight and lean tissue in cancer cachexia: a randomised double blind trial. Gut. 52(10): 1479–1486.
Garcia-Roves, P. M., Terrados, N., Fernandez, S. F., & Patterson, A. M. (1998). Macronutrients intake of top level cyclists during continuous competition. Change in the feeding pattern. Int J Sports Med., 19(1): 61-67.
Garcia-Roves, P. M., Terrados, N., Fernandez, S. F., & Patterson, A. M. (2000). Comparation of the dietary intake and eating behavior of professional road cyclists during training and competition. Int J Sports Nutrition.,10(1): 82-98.
Gleeson, M. (2007). Immune function in sport and exercise. J Appl Physiol., 103(2): 693-699.
Gonzalez-Alonso, J., Teller, C., Andersen, S. L., Jensen, F. B., Hyldig, T., & Nielsen, B. (1999). Influence of body temperature on the development of fatigue during prolonged exercise in the heat. J Appl Physiol., 86: 1032-1039.
Harris, R. (1992). Elevation of creatine in resting and exercising muscles of normal subjects by creatine supplementation. Clin Sci., 83: 367-74.
Hill, C. A., Harris, R. C,, Kim, H. J., Harris, B. D., Sale, C., Boobis, L. H., Kim, C. K., & Wise, J. A. (2007). Influence of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino Acids. 32(2): 225-33.
Ingram, J., Dawson, B., Goodman, C., Wallman, K., & Beilby, J. (2008). Effect of water immersion methods on post-exercise recovery from simulated team sport exercise. J Sci Med Sport., (in Press).
Kerksick, C., Harvey, T., Stout, J., Campbell, B., Wilborn, C., Kreider, R., Kalman, D., Ziegenfuss, T., Lopez, H., Landis, J., Ivy, J., & Antonio, J. (2008). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Nutrient timing. J Int Soc Sports Nutr.,5: 18.
Koopman, R., Wagenmakers, A. J. M., Manders, R. J. F., Zorenc, A. H. G, Senden, J. M. G., Gorselink, M., Keizer, H. A., & van Loon, L. J. C. (2005). Combined ingestion of protein and free leucine with carbohydrate increases postexercise muscle protein synthesis in vivo in male subjects. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab., 288: E645-E653.
Laursen, P. B., Suriano, R., Quod, M. J., Lee, H., Abbiss, C. R., Nosaka, K., Martin, D. T., & Bishop, D. (2006). Core temperature and hydration status during an Ironman triathlon. Br J Sports Med., 40(4): 320-325.
Lentz, S. R., & Haynes WG. (2004). Homocysteine: is it a clinically important cardiovascular risk factor? Cleve Clin J Med., 71(9): 729-734.
Meeusen, R., Watson, P., Hasegawa, H., Roelands, B., & Piacentini, M. F. (2007). Brain neurotransmitters in fatigue and overtraining. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab., 32(5): 857-864.
Moreira, A., Arsati, F., Cury, P. R., Franciscon, C., Simões, A. C., de Oliveira, P. R., & de Araújo, V. C. (2008). The impact of a 17-day training period for an international championship on mucosal immune parameters in top-level basketball players and staff members. Eur J Oral Sci., 116(5): 431-437.
Moulin, D. E. (2001). Systemic drug treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Clin J Pain., 17(4 Suppl): S86-93.
Nicholas, C. (2008). Legal nutritional supplements during a sporting event. Essays Biochem., 44: 45-61.
Nichols, A. W. (2007). Probiotics and athletic performance: a systematic review. Curr Sports Med Rep., 6(4): 269-73.
Nybo, L., & Nielsen, B. (2001). Hyperthermia and central fatigue during prolonged exercise in humans. J Appl Physiol., 91(3): 1055-1060.
Ostojic, S. M. (2004). Creatine supplementation in young soccer players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab., 14(1): 95-103.
Pedersen, B. K., & Febbraio, M. A. (2008). Muscle as an endocrine organ: focus on muscle-derived interleukin-6. Physiol Rev., 88(4): 1379-406.
Schroder, H., Terrados, N., & Tramullas, A. (2005). Risk assessment of the potential side effects of long-term creatine supplementation in team sport athletes. Eur J Nutrition., 44(4): 255-261.
Spriet, L. L., Perry, C. G., & Talanian, J. L. (2008). Legal pre-event nutritional supplements to assist energy metabolism. Essays Biochem., 44: 27-43.
Suzuki, K., Nakaji, S., Yamada, M., Totsuka, M., Sato, K., & Sugawara, K. (2002). Systemic inflammatory response to exhaustive exercise. Cytokine kinetics. Exerc Immunol Rev., 8: 6-48.
Terrados Cepeda, N., Mora Rodríguez, R., & Padilla Magunacelaya. S. (2004). La Recuperación de la Fatiga del Deportista. Madrid: Editorial Gymnos.
Terrados, N., & Maughan, R. J. (1995). Exercise in the heat: Strategies to minimize the adverse effects on performance. J Sports Sci., 13: S55-S62.
Terrados, N., Melichna, J., Sylven, C., & Jansson, E. (1986). Decrease in skeletal muscle myoglobin with intensive training in man. Acta Phys Scand., 128: 651-652.
Vaile, J., Halson, S., Gill, N., & Dawson, B. (2008). Effect of hydrotherapy on recovery from fatigue. Int J Sports Med., 29(7): 539-544.
Villa, J. G., Almar, M. M., Collado, P. S., Llamazares, E., & González-Gallego, J. (1993). Impairment of bile secretion induced by exhaustive exercise in the rat. Protective effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Int J Sports Med., 14(4): 179-84.
Wilcock, I. M., Cronin, J. B., & Hing, W. A. (2006). Physiological response to water immersion: a method for sport recovery? Sports Med., 36(9): 747-65.
Wilkinson, D. M., Carter, J. M., Richmond, V. L., Blacker, S. D., & Rayson. M. P. (2008). The effect of cool water ingestion on gastrointestinal pill temperature. Med Sci Sports Exerc., 40(3): 523-8.