Performance recovery covers a range of disciplines and therefore a number of societies may be applicable. The main professional bodies in Australia are:

• Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) is a professional organisation committed to establishing, promoting, and defending the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners.
• Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) is a national multidisciplinary organisation committed to enhancing the health of all Australians through safe participation in sport and physical activity.

Australian Institutes and Academies of Sport

Performance recovery is a service offered across the Australian high performance sport training-centre network:

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) members range from academics to students and from personal trainers to physicians, their association of sports medicine, exercise science, and health and fitness professionals is dedicated to helping people worldwide live longer, healthier lives.
• American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) is the professional organisation representing and promoting the profession of exercise physiology. It is committed to the professional development and advancement of exercise physiology and the credibility of exercise physiologists.
• Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is the principal body for physical activity, health and fitness research and personal training in Canada.
• European College of Sport Medicine (ECOSEP) is a medical speciality society comprised of physician members within the European community.

Performance recovery practitioners come primarily from physiology backgrounds but recovery also spans a number of other disciplines including medicine, physical therapies, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and psychology. Undergraduate studies may include Bachelor degrees in: Sport and Exercise Science, Applied Science, Exercise Science and Human Movement, or similar. These courses are offered at numerous universities around Australia and internationally.

In order to specialise in performance recovery it is likely that post graduate study will be required which may include the completion of an honours or PhD project in a relevant discipline.

Opportunities for professional experience are often facilitated through university undergraduate programs. National Institute Network (NIN) organisations, National Sport Organisations (NSOs), State Sport Organisations (SSOs), professional sport clubs, and local sport clubs can also provide opportunities for undergraduate and post graduate students to gain professional experience.

In December 2017 the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) announced the introduction of a national accreditation scheme for sport scientists. The scheme is run in partnership with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).

Exercise physiology accreditation is available from Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) to those professionals working in a clinical setting. ESSA requires accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) to maintain their accreditation through continuing professional development.

In August 2020 the AIS released the Sports Science Sports Medicine Practitioner Minimum Standards. These standards represent the mandatory minimum standards for SSSM staff and contractors engaged to deliver services in these disciplines of practice (including physiology/recovery) by National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) that are subject to the AIS SSSM Best Practice Principles via their Sport Investment Agreement. They will also guide the minimum SSSM personnel requirements of the National Institute Network (NIN).

AIS Performance Recovery was established to provide expert scientific advice on post-exercise fatigue and recovery physiology. The practitioners work with a wide range of sports throughout Australia, and in conjunction with other service providers to perform the following roles:

• Education of athletes and coaches on fatigue and recovery practices and physiology.
• Conducting recovery sessions.
• Developing team travel protocols.
• Monitoring athletes sleep.
• Monitoring athletes training loads and responses to training.
• Supplying teams and athletes with recovery equipment.
• Developing recovery facilities through advice on design and operation.
• Undertaking applied fatigue and recovery research.

Applied research into the effects of recovery techniques on athletic performance and the physiological mechanisms involved are vital aspects of the AIS Performance Recovery discipline. This research is undertaken to provide athletes and coaches with the best advice possible, and may be conducted through strong links with national and international experts, universities and companies.

The Recovery Centre is focused on developing and implementing world’s best practice recovery strategies and techniques to optimise athlete training and performance. This state of the art facility provides athletes with cutting edge recovery techniques using a multidisciplinary approach.

The Recovery Centre has the capacity for researchers to conduct evidence-based research and measurement of outcome effectiveness, which is vital to ensure the scientific validity of recovery is enhanced.

The Recovery Centre is divided into dry and wet areas. The dry area includes a massage area, stretching area, flotation tank, relaxation rooms, compression boots and changing rooms.

The wet area is designed to allow athletes to engage in active and passive recovery in both hot and cold water. It encompasses a number of hydrotherapy options including hot and cold showers, spa with jets that can target major muscle groups, plunge pool and a whirlpool at normal pool temperature.