Getting a leg up on competition

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This article was published 16/07/2016 (3368 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Athletes today will do anything to rehab themselves faster, smarter and healthier than ever before. Cold baths, yoga, simple stretching and nap times — nothing is off limits when trying to remain in peak form and injury-free.

It’s just about finding the right mix and the right way to do it.

“It’s all new to me,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie defensive end Trent Corney. “I’m constantly learning, looking at the pros and what they’re doing. I need to find a routine, some consistency.”

‘Some guys don’t have to stretch at all and never get an injury. Me? I have to stretch all of the time or I feel really tight. It prevents muscular injuries, pulls and stuff like that’–linebacker Ian Wild

Looking at Corney, consistency wouldn’t seem to be a shortfall in his training regimen. The 22-year-old is as chiseled as they come, a body that’s as appropriate for the cover of Men’s Fitness as it is for a rush end in the CFL.

Yet, he is actively searching out new therapies and methods, taking notes and cues from some of the vets by whom he’s now surrounded.

One form of therapy most players and trainers subscribe to — despite studies that debate the benefits — is the cold tub.

The general theory behind the cold tub is its ability to reduce swelling while promoting healing by cooling down the muscle tissue and flushing out lactic acid.

Cold baths increase circulation in the body, allowing for the flow of nourishing blood to an athlete’s muscles. An athlete, such as Corney, will sit in the 9 C to 12 C water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Blue Bombers head athletic therapist Al Couture has been with the team for 14 years. He’s constantly reviewing the latest literature on a litany of therapies for his athletes.

Every athlete responds differently and with a pile of body types in the dressing room at Investors Group Field, it ultimately comes down to an individual approach.

But some things, Couture says, are more or less universal.

“Hydrotherapy is very important, in our opinion,” he said.

“The hot and cold tub, some guys do contrast, guys going back and forth, and a fitness/rehab tub (29 C or swimming pool temperature). We try to encourage players to be in water because of the hydrostatic pressure water (puts) on the body. That can help decrease inflammation. That’s very science-based, so we try to use water with everything we do.”

Aside from Couture, veteran linebacker Ian Wild is widely considered the team’s fitness guru. He says the cold tub brings new life to his tired legs, flushing them out after he’s soaked in it.

He’s also been seen in recent years leading yoga and stretching exercises after practices.

His teammates have bought in, too.

Wild, despite his own injury troubles, swears by his methods.

“Everyone’s different, some guys don’t have to stretch at all and never get an injury,” Wild said.

“Me? I have to stretch all of the time or I feel really tight. It prevents muscular injuries, pulls and stuff like that. The hope is that if you take an awkward hit, it might prevent something from happening.”

Stretching, at least up until he met Wild, has been more or less foreign to Corney, but he’s jumping on board after his first training camp and regular-season action as a pro football player.

“My lower back was tight all throughout camp, my glute muscles as well and my neck,” Corney said. “I need to do it more often.

“Ian has showed me some really good stuff.”

Corney also incorporates rest in the form of naps. The length of each lay down varies on the day and what his schedule allows.

His first pro camp didn’t allow for much sleeping, he says, admitting the excitement and the gruelling nature of it kept his eyes peeled.

A 15- to 30-minute nap offers him mental relaxation. A longer nap — 45 minutes to two hours — allows for healing, getting the hormones going. He might wake up a tad groggy, but it’s worth it.

“Some of our two-a-days give us some time off in between, so I like to take a nap in the middle of the day when I can,” he said. “Napping is my favourite thing. It’s trial and error. I need to be more consistent. I need a routine.”

Couture, meanwhile, is always experimenting and sharing any new wisdom with his players.

Massage therapy is heavily incorporated. This year, students from the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba will be on hand the day after a game.

Couture says hitting the tubs, stretching and massage therapy following a game is the ideal concoction.

“There’s some literature that the responses from the body to massage therapy is very similar to taking anti-inflammatories,” Couture said. “We’re trying to organize it more in a team setting this year to try and see if we can compare the results.

“Players are a lot more receptive to a lot more things, to yoga, and with the huge emphasis on massage therapy, guys seem to understand the benefits of that. Even exercising the day after the game, nothing strenuous, just getting the blood flow going and other inflammatory properties. I think players are a lot more in-tune to that now.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @scottbilleck