A model for psychophysiological regeneration of elite team athletes
Date
2008-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
There is general consensus that athletes, striving to compete and perform at the highest
level, should optimally balance training and competition stress with adequate regeneration.
Although a well-planned training programme is of utmost importance, the time between
training sessions and competitions is critical for the modern-day athlete. It is suggested that
athletes should apply a variety of recovery methods to enhance the regeneration process.
Although team sport is a popular entity throughout the world, there is limited published
research on the regeneration process in team athletes and recovery methods to enhance the
regeneration process.
The aim of this study was to develop a model that could serve as a guideline for the
regeneration of team athletes within the South African context. Two phases were involved in
the process of developing a model. Phase one involved a research of literature in order to
assess which strategies can be implemented for athletic regeneration, and what information
team athletes are given for regeneration. The second phase involved an investigation into
the recovery strategies that are currently used for regeneration by elite South African team
players during the competitive phase of the year. Research questions focused on the
recovery methods used by players, the perceived importance of various recovery methods to
the players, and the relationship between sport and level of participation in the use of
recovery strategies. This study did not attempt to assess the knowledge of the players on
recovery methods.
Description
Thesis (PhD (Sports Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
Keywords
Psychophysiological regeneration, Recovery methods, Elite team athletes, Dissertations -- Sport science, Theses -- Sport science