If you know anything about elite sports recovery, its no secret that athletes will be using pneumatic compression at the Paris Olympics. As those athletes gear up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, they’re leveraging every possible way to enhance their performance and recovery.
After all, when you’ve been training for years, for events that can come down to hundredths of a second, you want every possible advantage.
One of the standout tools in their arsenal is pneumatic compression. This technology, long used in elite sports recovery, is gaining traction for its scientifically-backed benefits.
Here’s why you’ll see athletes using pneumatic compression at the Paris Olympics.
Plus, how it can benefit anyone looking to optimize their recovery.
The Science Behind Pneumatic Compression
Vive’s founders first experienced pneumatic compression with the Bejing Olympic Games in 2008. Today, its a mainstay in the recovery arsenal of many athletes and teams. Thats because it works and is backed by science.
“I had been exposed to the original cardiac devices for this process when I was strength coach with the LA Avengers Arena team in 2001. But it was inconvenient, massive equipment, and expensive. It was only after the Beijing Olympics that we first saw Normatec in use to help athletes recover,” shares Vive’s Human Performance Director, Ken Vick. “Research from the US Olympic Training Center backed up the benefits athletes were reporting they felt.”
That research showed that pneumatic compression increased range of motion and decreased pain pressure threshold.
Pneumatic compression devices work by applying controlled pressure to the limbs through a series of inflatable cuffs.
This pressure is systematically increased and released, mimicking the natural muscle pump action. The primary goals are to enhance blood flow, accelerate the removal of metabolic waste, and improve lymphatic return.
These effects are crucial for reducing muscle soreness, swelling, and promoting faster recovery.
Benefits of Pneumatic Compression for Olympic Athletes (or anyone)
- Enhanced Recovery: For athletes competing at the highest levels, recovery is just as important as training. Pneumatic compression helps reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and pain, allowing athletes to train harder and recover faster. This is particularly beneficial during the intense competition and multiple rounds during the Games.
- Improved Lymphatic Return: The lymphatic system plays a vital role in removing waste products and excess fluid from tissues. Pneumatic compression assists in this process by promoting better lymphatic flow, reducing swelling, and enhancing the body’s natural recovery mechanisms.
- Increased Blood Flow: By promoting venous return, pneumatic compression devices help ensure that oxygen-rich blood is delivered to the muscles more efficiently. This increased circulation aids in faster muscle repair and reduces the time needed for recovery between intense training sessions.
- Passive: Athlete’s don’t want to be expending energy when they are recovering. Using pneumatic compression for recovery during the Paris Games takes no additional effort.
- Convenience and Efficiency: Pneumatic compression devices are portable and easy to use, making them ideal for athletes on the go. Whether they’re at the training facility or traveling to a competition, athletes can incorporate compression therapy into their routine without any hassle.
How Athletes Use Pneumatic Compression for Recovery
At Vive Recovery Studio, we usually recommend that athletes use pneumatic compression post-workout or before recovery sessions like mobility or tissue work.
For optimal results, sessions should last between 20 to 30 minutes, with the device set to a comfortable pressure level. As always it is essential to stay hydrated.
For added benefit, use that time to focus on breathwork or meditation to down-regulate your system into recovery mode.
Bringing Elite Recovery into Your Routine
While pneumatic compression may be a game-changer for athletes at the Paris Olympics, it’s also accessible to fitness enthusiasts and everyday athletes.
Incorporating this technology into your recovery regimen can help you bounce back quicker from workouts, prevent injuries, and enhance overall performance.
Conclusion
As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics continues, athletes are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for gold.
Athletes will be using pneumatic compression for recovery at the Paris Olympics because it stands out as a scientifically-backed, practical tool that aids recovery and performance.
Whether you’re an Olympic hopeful or someone striving to reach your fitness goals, embracing pneumatic compression can provide the edge you need to recover better and achieve more.
For more information on how pneumatic compression and other advanced recovery methods can benefit you, visit us at Vive Recovery Studio. Empower your recovery, and elevate your performance to the next level.
