RESTQ-Sport: The value of the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for elite women hockey players

The balance between demand and recovery has been deemed a crucial element of training (Kellman & Kallus, 2001). It is important to have methods of monitoring athletes' training levels to assist in the prevention of over-training and in-turn optimize performance (Hooper, Mackinnon, Howard, Gordon, & Bachmann, 1995). It has been suggested that the Recovery Stress Questionnaire (RESTQ-Sport) is a method that can perform this function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of the RESTQ-Sport for elite female hockey players and assess the points in training in which the RESTQ-Sport is best utilized. Complete data were obtained from 11 members of the 20-member Canadian Olympic Female Ice Hockey Team, who ranged in age from 20 to 31 years. The data from this study emerged from semi-structured interviews conducted at key points in the athlete's training cycle. Content analysis was conducted on the interview responses. Seven themes emerged from the participants' responses regarding the value the RESTQ-Sport: Creates Awareness; Stimulates Reflection; Promotes Accountability, Responsibility, and Individuality; Monitoring Source; Affirms and Validates; Breaks Things Down, and No Value or Use. In assessing the points in training in which the RESTQ-Sport is best used, one general theme emerged that contained five coding categories. The frequency of participants' response suggests that the tool seemed to be most useful during high volume training and when first using the RESTQ-Sport. The findings provide insight to coaches and athletes regarding ways in which the RESTQ-Sport could be of use to them. The general theme that contained the highest number of meaning units was Stimulates Reflection, which indicates that the RESTQ-Sport can help athletes think seriously about factors related to training and general well-being. The RESTQ-Sport was also reported to be a tool that could be used as a monitoring source. Elite athletes need to have a sound method of monitoring incorporated into their training regime (Bompa, 1999), and since the RESTQ-Sport is a non-invasive and cost effective tool it could be a practical choice for monitoring. Continued efforts taken to assess the functional value of the psychological tools will help to ensure that they are in fact of benefit to athletes.