We are excited to offer Torquay and the Surf Coast with the Recovery Boot system to assist in pre and post training.
Recovery should be a crucial part of any athlete’s training. If you recover adequately and effectively, it means you can train harder and longer and reduce the risk of injury.
Athletes and coaches are continually looking for new and alternative ways to speed up recovery. The standard methods are certainly effect but can we improve this further?
Why causes muscle soreness?
DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is a result of muscle cell micro-damage, inflammation and a build-up of metabolic waste products. The body will naturally heal and flush these products from the cells via the venous and lymphatic system but this takes time.
Muscular movement is needed to stimulate this process as the lymphatic system does not a have a pump. This is why you see athletes doing light exercise following a big event, rather than resting completely (increases blood flow to the muscles).
Rosie recovering post GOR half marathon!
What are Recovery boots?
Recovery boots are an inflatable, compressive device which assist in accelerating muscle recovery. They speed up the healing process by compressing the muscles sequentially at a specific level. It is “active recovery” for your muscles but conducted passively at rest.
How does it work?
The Recovery boots increase venous return, accelerate oxygen delivery to the muscles and increase the reabsorption of the elements causing soreness and fatigue.
The application is very easy. We simply apply the boots to the legs, get you in a comfortable position, set the correct level of compression (mmHg) and turn the unit on. You will then feel the boots inflate and then deflate at specific intervals.
The recovery boots can be used pre and post exercise. We recommend using the recovery boots 15-20mins before activity to increase circulation which is essentially a “warm up”. Then immediately after exercise for 30-45mins to aid in recovery, or 1-1.5hrs if not used immediately post activity.
This method of recovery is becoming increasingly popular amongst elite athletes and sporting clubs to assist in performance. They are currently utilised by the Socceroos & AFL teams such as Richmond, Adelaide and Collingwood to name a few.
If you would like any further information on the Recovery Boot system or how to book in for a session, please send me an email at [email protected]
Maddie McMahon
Sports Podiatrist
Torquay Sports Medicine Centre