Using the Athlete Recovery and Stress Monitoring Tool
In athletics, effective recovery is vital for optimising performance and preventing overtraining. Physiologically, recovery—often referred to as regeneration—follows physical fatigue from training or competition (Kellmann, Bertollo, et al., 2018).
A lack of systematic and individualised recovery can lead to continuous underrecovery, which is a precursor to more severe conditions like non-functional overreaching (NFO) and ultimately overtraining syndrome (Kellmann, Bertollo, et al., 2018). Recognising and addressing these imbalances between recovery and stress is essential to maintain athletes' physical and mental health and avoid performance decline (Brink et al., 2012; Kellmann & Beckmann, 2018a).
Integrating an athlete recovery and stress monitoring tool allows coaches to identify early signs of underrecovery and overtraining through standardised diagnostic methods and psychometric scales. These tools assess various recovery and stress levels, providing a comprehensive view of each athlete's biopsychosocial state (Heidari et al., 2019; Meeusen et al., 2013). Regular monitoring not only facilitates timely interventions but also fosters interdisciplinary cooperation among coaches, medical staff, and sports psychologists, ensuring athletes receive tailored support.
The relationship between training stimuli and recovery is crucial; without sufficient recovery, even the best training plans can lead to chronic negative consequences (Hoffman et al., 1999). By utilising psychometric methods for monitoring, coaches can effectively gauge the subjective experiences of their athletes, leading to a better understanding of individual responses to training stimuli (Coutts et al., 2018; Hecksteden et al., 2017).
Accredited Athletics Coaches can now utilise the Athlete Recovery and Stress Monitoring Tool, which enables athletes to assess their physical, mental, and emotional recovery status, along with their levels of physical, motivational, and emotional stress.
Considerations for Coaches Using the Athlete Recovery and Stress Monitoring Tool
1. Focus on Intra-Individual Differences:
Athletes should complete the recovery and stress monitoring survey at least once a week to ensure a consistent assessment of their physical, mental, and emotional states. However, for optimal results, consider the following recommendations:
Timing Your Check-Ins: At a minimum, askthe athletes to complete the survey monthly (ideally at the end of a training block) as this will help you set an appropriate training load for upcoming mesocycles.
Adjust Frequency Based on Context: Adjust the frequency of survey completion during periods of intense training, competition, or personal stress. Conversely, during off-season or recovery periods, less frequent check-ins will suffice.
Monitor Trends Over Time: The key is to look for patterns and trends rather than isolated data points. Regular completion helps build a comprehensive picture of each athlete's recovery and stress levels.
2. Focus on Intra-Individual Differences:
Monitor Individual Progress: Rather than comparing athletes, concentrate on each athlete’s individual data over time. Look for trends in recovery and stress levels to understand their unique responses to training and competition.
Track Baseline Metrics: Establish baseline metrics for each athlete when they first start using the tool. This allows you to identify deviations from their norm, highlighting when recovery may be taking longer than expected.
3. Identify Recovery Needs:
Assess Recovery Status: Use the tool to gauge an athlete’s physical, mental, and emotional recovery status regularly. If an athlete shows consistent signs of insufficient recovery (e.g., increased stress levels, fatigue), consider recommending additional recovery time or adjustments to their training schedule.
Listen to Feedback: Encourage athletes to communicate openly about their recovery experiences. Use their subjective insights alongside the tool's data to inform decisions about their training loads and recovery strategies.
4. Respect Athlete Privacy and Data Security:
Maintain Confidentiality: Ensure that all data collected is treated confidentially. Only share individual results with those who have a legitimate need to know, such as medical staff or other coaches directly involved in the athlete's development.
Educate Athletes: Inform athletes about how their data will be used and stored, ensuring they understand their rights regarding their information. This builds trust and encourages honest reporting of their recovery and stress levels.
5. Limitations
Be aware that the tool should not be the sole determinant of training decisions. Other factors, such as injury history, external life stressors, and individual athlete differences, should also be considered. The accuracy of subjective reporting can vary, so it's important to use the data in conjunction with professional judgement.