Winter's End Doesn’t Mean Skipping Warm-Ups
When recovery isn’t managed, injuries start to accrue especially in the hamstrings for soccer players
Team sports at the elite level is an entertainment business that bring endorsements and all the right gear. The level of sports competition then filters down to the semi-professional level followed by your average weekend warrior where the post-game social can be just as important as the game itself.
At all levels, the body is put through rigorous stress during training, games and competition.
Whilst elite level athletes have masseurs, performance managers and physiotherapists on hand to support the players, lower down the support can be little to non-existent.
Compression pumps have gained popularity in sports medicine as athletes are trying to gain an edge in their own recovery and performance. Similarly, there has been a recent push for clubs and athletes to use ice baths after exercise. At-home ice bath setups have now even flooded the market. The rise of ice baths and compression pumps is due to the low cost and ease of use to help your body recover and relax.
This means all levels of athlete can look after their bodies and perform at their best.
Some sports don’t require extra technology to recover and perform well, but we have created a list of the most common sports that will benefit from compression pumps:
Basketball: Basketball players are known for their intense training schedules and frequent games. Travel plays a big component. Repetitive actions like pivoting, running and jumping in basketball can lead to muscle fatigue and soreness.
AFL: Both games and training sessions expose the body to high velocity and high load efforts. This takes a toll on the players’ bodies. Compression pump usage can be incorporated into recovery protocols to reduce muscle soreness, inflammation, and the risk of injuries associated with high-impact play. Ice baths are common too!
Cycling: Cyclists often rely on compression pumps. The repetitive pedalling motion can lead to fatigue and tightness. Cycling is one of the most common sports that utilize compression pumps for recovery.
Track and Field: The high intensity nature of track and field events such as sprinting, long distance and jumping lead to accumulating fatigue and tightness from exerting so much force and power. Compression pumps help to speed up the recovery process when relaxing.
Soccer: Similar to AFL and basketball, the running, jumping, pivoting and unexpected contact leads to sore and tired bodies. When recovery isn’t managed, injuries start to accrue especially in the hamstrings for soccer players. Compression pumps can be used in a changeroom before or after training.