An avid runner, Jennifer Heiner has been joining marathons, and volunteers with the New York Road Runners. Her passion for running extends towards her professional endeavors.
A good pair of running shoes is the primary means to prevent foot injuries. There are many things to consider when choosing running shoes. While brand, color, and style may affect the runner’s choice, the smartest idea is to choose the ones that provide the best comfort and help prevent running injuries. A heavily cushioned pair of running shoes is good for beginners. As the runner progresses, he or she may consider going light-weight with his or her running shoes. If the runner intends to run early morning or at night, a pair of running shoes with a reflective surface may add another level of protection from vehicular accidents. The tread is also a factor to consider when shopping for a pair of running shoes. The tread affects the runner’s performance depending on the surface where the runner intends to run: the treadmill, the track, the road, or the trail.
Athletes are going beyond traditional apparel and medical means to stay healthy, however. A recent article by Aspire Regenerative Health takes a look at hyperbolic therapy, its benefits, and the athletes who use it. According to the article:
"Professional athletes are equipped with some of the most cutting-edge therapeutic treatments available, and for good reason. Their intense training regimens and demanding travel schedules put an incredible amount of strain on their bodies. This means that athletes have to take their recovery time just as seriously as their workouts.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has become a popular recovery tool for athletes spanning many different sports, and it can also help people who aren’t training for the Olympics or playing in the NBA. This non-invasive treatment can be beneficial to anyone looking to obtain better overall health and wellness.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, works by boosting the human body’s remarkable capabilities of self-healing. Oxygen is fuel for the cells within the body. It is essential not only for our survival but for a wide range of complex processes to be carried out, such as repairing damaged tissues. HBOT provides the body with ample fuel (oxygen) so that it can maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of these processes.
While this therapy may seem complex on a cellular level, the treatment itself is simple. HBOT doesn’t require any recovery time, which makes it very appealing to athletes and anyone with a busy schedule. Treatment sessions last between 60 to 120 minutes and patients typically look forward to this therapy as a time to relax and unwind.
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment sessions, patients sit or lie down within a hyperbaric chamber that is pressurized to 3x the level in the Earth’s atmosphere and simply breathe in and out normally. During this time, patients are able to read, listen to music, work on a laptop, watch a movie, or take a nap. They can return to their normal activities immediately afterward, which means athletes can enjoy an HBOT session before a big game.
The Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Athletes
Thus far, HBOT has been FDA-approved to treat over a dozen conditions and illnesses including decompression sickness, thermal burns, and necrotizing fasciitis. Doctors may also recommend this as an off-label therapy to help treat or manage the symptoms of anxiety disorders, autism, and attention deficit disorder.
Athletes who use hyperbaric therapy are often interested in the following health benefits:
Enhanced Physical Performance
Better Mental Clarity
Improved Sleep
Decreased Soreness after Physical Activity
Reduced Inflammation
Heightened Energy
In addition, HBOT can help shorten the recovery time required after a workout. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves circulation and is often used in conjunction with physical therapy to treat chronic muscle pain or acute injuries. HBOT allows oxygen to penetrate 3x deeper into damaged tissue, which can drastically speed-up healing and recovery times. In addition, this therapy has garnered attention as a way to help people suffering from post concussion syndrome, something that is common among professional athletes."
