Athletes know in order to gain fitness, and improve performance, adequate recovery must take place between training sessions. And as the author points out, athletes are always looking for a new way to hasten recovery. The author seems to have the perfect mix of experience to write on this topic -- she has a degree in biology, has worked as a science journalist for many years, and is a long-time serious athlete.
In a highly readable and witty manner, she first generally discusses the limitations on scientific studies (using as an example her own participation in a study if beer is a good recovery fluid) . This discussion is a very well done example of issues in studies she later discusses. She describe a bewildering variety of recovery modalities, devices and regimens (icing, salt baths, NSAIDS, stretching, recovery drinks, foam rolling, massage, meditation, sleep, protein supplements, etc, etc. etc.). She describes each of them, sometimes tries them herself for the first time ( e. g. sensory deprivation" floating salt bath), talks to coaches and athletes, discusses scientific studies which have evaluated the issue, and talks to leading experts in the field to get their opinion on the status of scientific knowledge. The text of the book is refreshingly almost free of scientific jargon, but her work is well-supported with almost 200 end notes of studies and her sources.
I have to disagree with the one-star reviewer who seems to think that the book's only lesson is to be sure to get adequate sleep. The author's point is that sleep is of paramount importance (well documented scientifically), especially when compared to the various unproven, aggressively marketed fads. Yes, she does debunk, or at least "throw shade" on some recovery devices or rituals, but to me that is the most valuable service the book provides. Who doesn't want to stop wasting time and money on something that is unlikely to work?
I think the author precisely reports the great uncertainty on many of these recovery issues. A lot is not known, and perhaps will never be known. Her honest reporting of the many uncertainties is a feature, not a bug. It provides a great education on what you should look at when considering recovery issues, and a very enlightening discussion of how marketing influences people's choices.
Finally, she also discusses the psychological aspect of these issues, noting that some things seem to work for some people and not others. She discusses how and perhaps why people will not change their habits even in face of clear evidence that it does not work.
In sum, this is a very valuable resource for any serious athlete. I have coached an adult marathon training program for many years now (and have run more than 50 marathons and ultras) and this is also a good resource for coaches, if nothing else, to recommend to your athletes.
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Top reviews from other countries
Enrique
Excelente recurso sobre la importancia de la recuperación en el deporte
Reviewed in Mexico on June 16, 2021
Lockie
Science journalism at its best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2019