Injury rehabilitation Flashcards
Why would a performer rush recovery (rehabilitation)?
As the longer you are injured for, the greater the effects of reversibility are, such as:
- Atrophy (loss of muscle mass)
- Loss of VO2 max (aerobic capacity)
What decreases due to a reduced VO2 max?
- Decreased glycolytic enzymes
- Reduced triglyceride and glycogen stores
- Decreased myoglobin levels
What are the 5 methods of rehabilitation?
- Hyperbaric chambers
- Cryotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Proprioceptive training
- Strength training
What is a hyperbaric chamber?
A highly pressurised chamber that delivers 100% pure oxygen to the body, which reduces recovery time
What are the physiological reasons behind hyperbaric chambers
- Increased oxygen levels
- Haemoglobin levels are fully saturated
- Excess oxygen is absorbed into the plasma
- Dissolved oxygen reduces swelling and increases the rate of cellular repair
Which athlete benefits from hyperbaric chambers?
Soft tissue, tendon, or ligament damage
What is cryotherapy?
Involves a subject entering a cryogenic chamber that has been cooled by liquid nitrogen to a temp below -100 degrees.
Last 3 mins
Reduces pain and inflammation
What are the physiological reasons behind cryotherapy?
- Freezing gas surrounding the body is detected by thermoreceptors
- This stimulates the vasomotor centre
- The vessels in the arms and legs vasoconstrict
- This process shunts blood towards the core to protect the internal organs
- On leaving the chamber, the arms and legs vessels vasodilate and the rate of cellular repair increases
What athlete benefits from cryotherapy?
Athletes with soft tissue, tendon, or ligament damage
What is needed for recovery?
Oxygen!!!
What is hydrotherapy?
Takes place in warm water (35 degrees) and is used to improve blood circulation, relieve pain and relax muscles
What are the physiological reasons behind hydrotherapy?
- Buoyancy of the water helps to support body weight
- Allows the athlete to train on weak joints
- Exercise against the water resistance helps too strengthen the injured area
- Includes BA or underwater treadmill
What athletes benefit from hydrotherapy?
Athletes with weight bearing injuries
What is proprioception?
The body’s awareness of its limbs
What are proprioceptors?
Receptors that detect the body’s position and speed of movement, which allows for smooth and controlled movements
