Being in the military is not for the faint of heart. Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT) programs put individuals through gruesome, yet beneficial, exercise regimes in order to prepare them for a number of different operations. Equally as important as the training is recovery. Some therapies that have incredible benefits and help those in PRT recover well include going for ice baths, using infrared saunas, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Keep reading to discover how these therapies can benefit those in the military!
What is an Ice Bath?
We all know how utterly revitalising it can feel to take a dip in cold water after an intense workout. Ice baths take this to the next level! While much research still needs to be done to prove the benefits of ice baths for athletes post-workout, it’s clear that taking an ice bath does, to some degree, help individuals kickstart the recovery process. This allows their muscles to rejuvenate sooner so they can continue exercising.
Benefits of taking an Ice Bath after exercise
According to research, here are some of the major benefits of an ice bath:
May help reduce inflammation
We all know the theory behind applying ice to inflamed areas, whether from an injury or workout. Ice rapidly cools down the area it’s applied to, reducing blood flow and, subsequently, inflammation. The reduced inflammation also allows the body to recover faster.
May help relieve muscular pain
We’ve all experienced the debilitating pain the day after doing leg the day before, right? Well, taking an ice bath could make leg days a lot less painful for you. After an intense workout, when muscles are full of lactic acid and burning, cold immersion can rapidly alleviate this burn and muscle soreness.
What is an Infrared Sauna?
Next, we have infrared saunas. Infrared saunas use infrared lamps to generate heat in a sauna chamber. Typically, infrared saunas reach temperatures between 30 and 50°C with a lower humidity, making them ideal for those who can’t tolerate the higher temperatures and humidity in a traditional sauna. Studies have shown that those who used an infrared sauna post-workout also presented signs of a faster recovery.
Benefits of an Infrared sauna after exercise
Here are some of the potential benefits of using an infrared sauna after exercising:
May increase blood flow
As you sit in an infrared sauna, your core temperature increases which causes you blood vessels to dilate allowing for large volumes of blood to be pumped throught the body at a time. The benefit of this is that more nutrients can get to vital areas faster, improving your recover time.
Allows for deeper heat penetration
In addition to that, infrared heat also penetrates you body deeper, penetrating through muscle tissue and alleviating any tension or pain there may be.
May reduce lactate levels
While you exercise, your body builds up a chemical known as lactate. This chemical is part of the reason you feel a burn in your muscles. Sitting in an infrared sauna can help your body reduce the lactate levels in your muscles, allowing them to feel more relaxed and ready to be used again.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally used for people who have experienced hypoxia or hypoxemia, conditions that both involve a radical loss of oxygen in the body. Essentially, when you undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you enter a pressurised chamber that is pumped with pure oxygen in order to restore your body’s oxygen levels. Oxygen debt can be a common issue for athletes who train at high levels. HBOT can be a convenient way to replenish their oxygen supply.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy after exercise
Studies show that HBOT therapy for athletes has some pretty beneficial effects, such as:
Increases blood flow
When your body lacks oxygen, your bodily tissue and organs can begin to decay because of the lack of properly oxygenated blood. HBOT therapy can supplement your body with the oxygen it needs to improve circulation and transport nutrients throughout the body as needed.
Enhances wound healing
In situations where you have an infection or serious trauma, the surrounding area, including the blood vessels, can become damaged and cut off from a suitable supply of oxygen. When this happens for extended periods, the tissue around the area can swell and start to decay. With HBOT therapy, the extra oxygen pumped into this area can flood the wound with the oxygen it needs to heal, promoting faster healing.
Can reduce pain and swelling
Following on from the last two benefits, because HBOT therapy increases your blood flow, it also has a hand in reducing inflammation and pain in the body. Because of the quality of the oxygen you’re taking in, your body becomes saturated, increasing its ability to transport nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and organs. As a result, your body can combat pain and swelling faster and more efficiently.
Where to find an ice bath, infrared sauna, or HOBT Facility in Brisbane
Those interested in using these innovative methods to help their body recover from intense exercise, especially those involved in PRT, should consider going to TH7 Labs in Brisbane. Not only do they offer each of these therapies, but they also offer exemplary service and comfort, helping you relax during your session. Consider looking at the HBOT chamber memberships or other options to have easy access to the facilities when you need them.
Final thoughts
PRT is an intense program but promotes a strong sense of physical and psychological endurance. Those involved in PRT and the military will have it in their best interest to find effective methods to optimise recovery and as a result their training too. One or all of the therapies above can play a significant role in helping your body recover so you can get back to exercising sooner.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.