“No pain, no gain”. Though popularized by aerobic enthusiasts, such statement holds true in the world of sports as well. Pain comes in a package deal with athletic activities and is usually a result of overuse injuries. According to Canada.com, overuse injuries are a result of repeated, minor injuries that accumulate in a specific body part over time, causing pain that limits range of motion.
Tight muscles are known to aggravate injuries because they could no longer function as an effective shock absorber. If you’re an athlete, helping those stiff muscles relax can significantly enhance how you perform in a game.
Blood circulation is essential to prevent painful muscle contraction. The hot water, along with the tub’s built-in massaging jets, helps release tension by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow throughout your muscles. Hot tubs will make your muscles feel more revived and ready for action once again.
Additionally, hot tubs can also help you enjoy a good night’s sleep, which your muscles need for further restoration. This is especially helpful if your workout session is scheduled late in the afternoon because freshly stimulated muscles can make sleeping difficult. Dipping a few minutes a day in a hot tub in the comfort of your Vancouver home can help calm those achy muscles as well as reduce the production of stress hormones in your body, allowing you to fall asleep faster.
According to CoverGuy.com, a quick hot tub session of 10-15 minutes can effectively relieve discomfort after training. A quick plunge to relax those muscles before exercise is a good supplement to your warm up and should reduce soreness post-workout as well. Hot temperature causes fluid loss through perspiration so don’t forget to keep hydrated regardless of whether you take a dip before or after exercise.
However, in the case of an injury, you have to apply cold compress to the swollen area first. Jumping straight into the hot tub without waiting for the inflammation to lessen can cause the affected body part to swell all the more. For better safety, have it checked by your doctor first because there may be an underlying serious injury.
The benefits of hot tubs are not new to the athletic world and lots of athletes do get great relief and better relaxation by involving hot tub dips in their training routine. Don’t have your personal hot tub yet? Check out hot tubs available through Vancouver companies like H2O Spas.
Source: Sports Injuries, BodyandHealth.Canada.com
Source: The Benefits of Hot Tubs for Athletes, TheCoverGuy.com