More Than Just Rest
For elite athletes, the time between games and workouts is just as important as the events themselves. This is when the body repairs the microscopic muscle damage caused by intense exertion. Today, recovery is a data-driven science supported by sophisticated bioengineering technologies designed to optimize and accelerate the healing process.
Pneumatic Compression
Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, like inflatable boots, mimic the body's natural muscle pump. The boots contain multiple chambers that inflate and deflate sequentially, creating a dynamic pressure that "massages" the limbs. This mechanical pressure helps increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can flush out metabolic waste and reduce muscle soreness.
Whole-Body Cryotherapy
Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is widely used in sports medicine to enhance recovery. An athlete stands in a chamber for a few minutes while it's filled with extremely cold, dry air (below -100°C). This is thought to reduce inflammation, have an anti-analgesic (pain-relieving) effect, and reduce markers of muscle cell damage.
Key Terms
Pneumatic Compression
A recovery method using inflatable garments to massage limbs and improve circulation.
Cryotherapy
The use of extreme cold to reduce inflammation and promote recovery.
Inflammation
The body's natural response to injury or intense exercise, which recovery tech aims to manage.
Sources & Further Reading
- Lombardi, G., Ziemann, E., & Banfi, G. (2017). Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Athletes: From Therapy to Stimulation. An Updated Review of the Literature. Frontiers in Physiology. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5411446/
- Martin, J. S., et al. (2021). The effects of intermittent pneumatic compression on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Journal of Sports Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8284752/