ABSTRACT
Professional sport are a rapidly changing entity where innovative ideas and new standards are constantly evolving. One of the pleasant recent developments involves the thematisation and promotion of mental health in elite sport as the foundation for long-lasting performance. Athletic achievements are increasingly considered as a product of physical ability, mental capabilities, and mental health by a growing number of sport federations and teams. Within the complex of mental health, recovery has emerged as pivotal process to both prevent negative outcomes and holistically promote well-being in athletes. The best-case scenario for mental health promotion through recovery consists of a multidimensional monitoring system followed by either individualised or collective recovery interventions (e.g., workshops about relaxation techniques) based on the collected data. A combination of physiological (e.g., heart rate variability) and psychological (e.g., questionnaires) strategies to assess recovery can draw a comprehensive picture of the recovery status of elite athletes. A complete mental health concept should furthermore include validated clinical screening tools which complement the recovery and stress monitoring. Importantly, the gathered information needs to be put into perspective by trained personnel (e.g., sport psychologists) who have the required resources to develop concepts for mental health promotion with a focus on recovery. Future approaches for dealing with mental health in elite athletes should connect to the initiated changes and establish mental health promotion as essential element of elite sport across all disciplines, genders, and age groups.
