Athletes often deal with various injuries while involved in physical activities. This often hinders their performance. Some key injuries include:
- Muscle Strains: This is when muscle fibers are overstretched or torn.
- Sprains: Ligaments are sprained when they are stretched or torn and are usually sprained in the ankle or knee joint.
- Tendonitis: This is inflammation of tendons from repetitive use.
- Shin Splints: This injury happens on the shinbone and occurs in runners as a result of overuse.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: Injuries to shoulder muscles and tendons that are commonly seen in overhead athletes.
- Fractures: These are breaks in bones that can occur from impacts or falls during competition.
Such injuries likely require suitable methods of recovery to reduce pain and return function.
How Cryotherapy Helps in Recovery
Cryotherapy exposes your body to super-low temperatures for the short term. The chambers can typically reach -110 temperatures. The following is how Cryotherapy helps sports recovery:
1. Reduces Inflammation
When you have an injury, the body activates inflammation as part of its healing mechanism. However, too much inflammation can cause pain and swelling. This is where Cryotherapy helps reduce inflammation in the entire body. It constricts blood vessels and decreases blood circulation to inflamed areas. Reduced inflammation will accelerate recovery time and help with pain relief.
2. Alleviates Muscle Soreness
Athletes commonly use Cryotherapy as a way to fight off muscle soreness. Muscle fatigue or soreness is often experienced, known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), especially after heavy training. Cryotherapy can help alleviate this soreness by exposing the sore area to the cold. This way, you can train hard without lingering pain. This stimulates healing and helps repair muscle tissues more quickly. Athletes often report being able to return to their training regimens sooner due to regular Cryotherapy sessions.
3. Accelerates Recovery Time
Regular use of Cryotherapy can lead to shorter recovery times. When cold is applied to the body, fresh blood flow returns to tissues post-treatment. It promotes healing and aids in faster muscle tissue repair. Athletes commonly say they can get back to training quicker if they regularly receive cryotherapy.
4. Improves Circulation
While in a Cryotherapy chamber, your body undergoes a process that ultimately enhances blood circulation. The cold triggers blood vessel constriction when inside the chamber. However, after exiting the chamber, your blood vessels dilate, helping blood to flow efficiently all over your body. This improved circulation promotes recovery and also rejuvenates skin.
5. Supports Mental Well-Being
Cryotherapy sessions stimulate endorphin release that improves mood and overall well-being. Many athletes say treatment leaves them energized and more mentally focused. The enhancement of performance through psychological benefits may be even more useful during the pressure of high-stakes competitions.
The Popularity of Cryotherapy Among Athletes
Cryotherapy has since become popular among elite athletes both in the UK and overseas. With its capacity to rapidly heal injuries and improve performance, many star athletes openly swear by this recovery technique.
One of the most famous advocates of Cryotherapy is the football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo. He owns a Cryotherapy chamber at his house. To recover from his rigorous training routines, Ronaldo often resorts to Cryotherapy to keep him at optimal performance. He pioneers recovery through cutting-edge methods that ensure his longevity and potential for success in the sport.
A notable practitioner of Cryotherapy is former world number one tennis player Andy Murray. He uses Cryotherapy to help his recovery following matches and training sessions. Adding Cryotherapy to his routine keeps his body in the best form so he can perform at the peak of his ability. This approach is essential for coping with the physical demands of professional tennis.
Furthermore, Cryotherapy already appears to be a component of strongman Eddie Hall’s regimen. To improve his recovery and prevent injury, Hall incorporates daily Cryotherapy sessions into his recovery strategy. His focus on Cryotherapy proves critical to maximize performance in strength sports.
Jamie Vardy, the Leicester City striker, is another athlete who endorses cryotherapy. Vardy uses this innovative recovery method as part of his regimen. His endorsement of Cryotherapy highlights its growing acceptance across various sports, particularly in football.
These athletes lead the way for how Cryotherapy can be a powerful tool to help keep fit and recover as much as possible.
Their success underscores the effectiveness of this innovative recovery method, encouraging others to explore Cryotherapy as part of their training programs.
