Comparing two athletic recovery positions between maximum effort training intervals

Recovery is an extremely important component of successful exercise and fitness both on the sports field, and throughout the life course. Fitness enthusiasts and athletes understand the importance of utilizing specific training regimes to realize optimal performance. Throughout time spent as coaches of various types and levels of sport, the authors have observed a consistent clash between common recovery positions recommended by coaches to their athletes: hands behind head (HBH), and hands on knees (HOK). As a coach or trainer, comprehension of how the body works when it comes to exercise recovery is imperative, because it allows them to tap more deeply into the athletic potential of their pupils. We will explore the functionality of HBH and HOK recovery positions using a slightly modified version of the classic Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). It will incorporate a 30 second sprint followed by a 180 second HOK or HBH recovery period‚ work to rest ratio of 1:6‚ and one additional 30 second round of sprint style exercise following said recovery period. Poster submission was sponsored by Dr.Ken Anderson, (Sports Science Department) for course SPSC 4256 and was presented at the New Westminster campus on April 12, 2023, for Student Research Days 2023.