Elite Sport Pedagogical Management: Time Management Analysis based on Recovery Strategies and Training Load Indicators in Handball Athletes

Abstract

This study examines changes in recovery strategies and training load indicators among handball athletes during Mesocycle 2 of PON XX Training Center 2021 and the internalization process of recovery habits within the framework of elite sport pedagogical management. An ex post facto method with quantitative descriptive approach involved 28 athletes (14 males, 14 females). The 100-Point Recovery Checklist Strategy measured nine recovery activities across Micro 5-8, while training load was calculated using sRPE. Results showed female athletes' total Recovery Points (1,227.0-1,371.0) were higher than males (1,076.9-1,303.1) across all microcycles. Deep Tissue Massage (20.7-26.2%) and Compression Garments during sleep (17.8-22.8%) were dominant strategies. In Micro 6, peak load (males 1,892.4 AU; females 1,924.6 AU) was followed by increased recovery (males +226.2; females +101.1). In Micro 7, load decrease (males -375.7; females -271.6) was followed by recovery decrease (males -97.0; females -52.1). A distinct phenomenon occurred in Micro 8: load drastically decreased (males -941.3; females -990.7), male recovery decreased (-103.6) to 1,102.5, while female recovery increased (+95.1) reaching 1,371.0. This pattern indicates male athletes tend to respond proportionally to load changes, while females demonstrate consistency of internalized recovery habits. Findings indicate that daily recovery routine repetition within a structured training environment fosters internalization of recovery habits as personal responsibility. From the perspective of elite sport pedagogical management, these findings reflect how authentic experience and routine consistency serve as a learning vehicle integrating recovery knowledge into athletes' daily behavior. The observed internalization process is part of elite sport pedagogical management, where the training curriculum not only transfers theoretical knowledge but also shapes athletes' habits and autonomy in managing recovery sustainably.