Therabody Research Highlights Psychophysiological Interdependence in Athlete Recovery
New research published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, co-authored by performance scientist Robin Thorpe, PhD, a Therabody Scientific Advisory Board member, demonstrates that physical and psychological recovery are interdependent processes. This concept, termed psychophysiological recovery, suggests that mental stress, mood, and cognitive fatigue interact with physiological responses, collectively shaping an athlete's overall recovery and readiness to perform. The study emphasizes that recovery is not solely physical, and strategies should address both mind and body. Examples include breathwork, which can produce physiological changes like reduced heart rate, and physical therapies like percussive massage or compression, which can influence mental states by reducing soreness and tension.
