Athletes from the beginning of time have done whatever they can to give themselves an edge over their competition. Recent years have seen athletes spending more time than ever balancing their diet to provide their bodies with the exact levels of macro and micronutrients that they need. Athletes have also invested in tools for recovery ranging from massage guns to ice baths, saunas, and even cooling mattresses. It seems like athletes and those worried about their health are doing whatever they can to not only increase their performance but their recovery. One cutting-edge therapy that athletes are starting to make use of is IV therapy and IV therapy clinics. These clinics offer four ways to help optimize athletes.
1 – Hydration
If you’ve ever heard the saying, “hydrate or die” then you understand how important this IV therapy can be for athletes. Athletes are often pushing themselves harder and faster than average humans. This extra effort leads to the loss of water at extreme rates, without replenishing those stores athletes can quickly become dehydrated. While oral and intravenous hydration is incredibly similar it offers a surefire way for athletes to rehydrate after extreme events. It is also a way for the body to safely hydrate for athletes that have performed extreme events such as ultra marathons.
2 – Muscle Recovery
Athletes rely on their muscles to compete and if they are in a hard event, competing for multiple days in a row, or simply trying to push their bodies to the limit then IV therapy can help them immensely. In order for muscles to recover properly athletes not only need to keep hydrated but have a couple of components. IV therapy can help get these components directly into the bloodstream. An ice bath chiller efficiently maintains cold water temperatures, offering an ideal solution for athletes seeking rapid muscle recovery and reduced inflammation after intense workouts or competitions.
- Amino Acids: Amino Acids help build muscles and are considered the building block of muscles.
- Dextrose: Dextrose will replace glycogen stores that were burned in an intense workout.
- Magnesium: If muscles cramp after a workout then your body may need a lot of magnesium which is known to relax muscles and help decrease muscle cramps.
3 – Nutrient Absorption
People that are critical of IV therapy call it a gimmick. However, one of the greatest benefits of IV therapy is the way that your body is able to absorb nutrients. Oral consumption of food, nutrients, or water-soluble nutrients sees the body absorbs only about 60% of the nutrients. With IV therapy since the nutrients are injected directly into the bloodstream, your body is able to absorb 100% of the nutrients.
4 – Energy
Athletes are constantly expending energy and calories to meet their goals whether in training or competition. These athletes need every edge they can get to compete and train at their peak levels. An energy IV therapy session can be accomplished in as little as fifteen minutes and introduce energy-boosting nutrients directly into the bloodstream. This, coupled with the better absorption rates of IV therapy can give athletes the edge over their competitors in competition or simply be the best way to fuel intense workout sessions.