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• Players flock to try out mobile cryotherapy unit at Archerfield
• The three-minute procedure in a -135c pod boosts recovery
• “Nothing was as quick or effective as that,” said Brett Rumford
If you head down to the spectator village at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play, don’t be surprised if you bump into a tour pro or three. Why? One word: Cryotherapy.
Yes, the world’s first single user cryotherapy pod is on-site at Archerfield Links, further underlining how golf is being perceived as a more athletic sport.
Read more -> Matt Fitzpatrick: “Ive struggled this year”
What does it do?
Well, a 950l nitrogen tank pumps liquid nitrogen into a pod with a heat exchanger cooling the air to -135c. The person strips down to their underwear – socks, slippers, gloves and a headband are provided to wear – and steps into the pod for three minutes. After that, it is encouraged to do three minutes on an exercise bike to feel the full effects.
What’s the purpose?
This cryotherapy procedure boosts recovery, pumping blood back to the heart and taking the person into a ‘fight or flight mode’. It replenishes blood cells, oxygenates them then fires it back out to your extremities. It also promotes a deeper sleep, increasing the REM cycle by 56 minutes.
What do the players think?
Those who have tried the cryotherapy pod absolutely love it. Anthony Wall, Robert Rock and Brett Rumford have all spent time in the pod so far this week, with many more said to be keen to try it out. Rumford tried it out for the first time yesterday and he told bunkered.co.uk what he thought.
“Nothing was as effective or as quick as that” – Brett Rumford
“I’m very much into my recovery side,” he said. “I’m quite active and I’ve tried a lot of different methods – hot and cold – such as ice baths. They were cold but nothing was as effective or as quick as that.
“It’s been proven now as a performance-enhancer and it’s the most effective ice bath you can have. You feel the benefits straight away after three minutes on the bike. It’s very apparent how light your body feels. We’re on our feet for 10-12 hours a day so anything that can stimulate the blood flow and get rid of all the lactic acid that can build up can only help.
Read more -> Twitter reacts to Nike news bombshell
“This has probably been around for a whole lot longer than what you may think because a golfer’s mentality is that everything’s a secret and you want to get an edge on your fellow competitors. There’s no way you’ll be putting pictures up on Instagram or Twitter, anything public, and want to try and keep it under wraps for as long as they can until it all catches on.”
Will Rumford be telling others?
“No!” he joked. “As I said before, it’s what us golfers do – keep secrets to get an edge on our opponents. But I guess at dinner time, I’ll maybe tell some of the lads.”
Cryotherapy for golfers :: Have you tried it?
Have you ever tried cryotherapy? If you’re at the Paul Lawrie Match Play, head to the CryoFitUK and RecoveryFitUK stalls to give it a shot. Follow them on Twitter @CryoFitUK.
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