Physiotherapists and coaches recommend floatation therapy to athletes, as a means to accelerate recovery from competition and boost sports performance.
Floatation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique/therapy) gained popularity in the 1980s, as a way to improve sporting performance. Since then, many Olympic athletes such as Carl Lewis, Jade Johnson, and Tasha Danvers have benefited from this therapy, which involves immersion in a float tank with Epsom salts.
#1 Improves overall performance
Athletes can boost several aspects of their performance, by floatation therapy. For one, this enables relief from stress by re-establishing body balance. Second, it improves focus, concentration and motivation.
And thirdly, it decreases the time taken for muscle recovery, after a demanding workout or races. Research shows that an hour spent in the float tank has the healing impact of 7 to 8 hours of deep sleep.
#2 Quick recovery from exercise strain
Floatation sets the body and mind into a deep state of relaxation, stimulates the blood circulation and calms the nervous system. In addition, it boosts the production of happy hormones or endorphins, leading to an increased sense of wellbeing and and vigour.
Most sports injuries occur due to muscular strain or over flexing of joints and ligaments. REST helps boost recovery from muscular strain, by offering a deep relaxation experience. So, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage specialists recommend floatation therapy, as part of the recovery package for sports persons.
#3 Enhances visualization
This therapy impacts the mind, in the same way as meditation. Experts believe that spending an hour inside a float tank, coupled with practice of visualization and imagery can produce better results, than hours of practice in the field.
A famous example of someone who paired the two, is the famed athlete Carl Lewis. Like him, other athletes can greatly enhance performance levels by using mental imagery during REST.