While there are plenty of things to enjoy with winter sports such as the views, the thrill, and the adventure, the cold can be a little more hit-or-miss. Not only can it become conducive to unbearable conditions, but it also increases the risk of various injuries, from muscle strains and joint stiffness to frostbite, in the extreme. Traditionally, winter sports enthusiasts would respond to this by putting on layer after layer to prevent heat escape from their bodies as much as possible. Now, however, there are more innovative preventative measures to help mitigate the effects of cold on the body – including the practice of infrared saunas on a consistent basis.
Explore the benefits of incorporating infrared saunas into your winter sports routines with our team at Sun Stream Saunas AUS below.
Understanding Cold-Related Injuries in Winter Sports
A few of the cold-related injuries that can arise from exposure to low temperatures include the following:
- Frostbite: As the body diverts blood away from your extremities like your toes and fingers to preserve your core temperature, you become more vulnerable to frostbite.
- Hypothermia: When body temperature drops below 35°C, hypothermia can set in, leading to slowed metabolic function, cognitive impairment, and even organ failure if left untreated.
- Cold-Induced Muscle and Joint Stiffness: The body naturally conserves heat by tightening muscles and joints, which can make movements stiffer and increase the likelihood of strains or sprains.
How Infrared Saunas Help Prevent Cold-Related Injuries
1. Improved Circulation and Oxygen Delivery
As infrared saunas raise your core temperature, it induces a process called vasodilation. This dilates the blood vessels, allowing better blood flow and making sure that oxygen and nutrient-rich blood reaches the very tips of your fingertips and important muscle groups.
This enhanced circulation is highly beneficial to winter sports athletes. For one, it enhances their hyperthermic conditioning which boosts the body’s resilience against temperature fluctuations. Two, the proper distribution of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues helps keep them healthy, flexible, and less susceptible to injury.
2. Deep-Tissue Warming for Muscle Flexibility and Reduced Stiffness
Unlike traditional saunas which heat the air around the room to raise your body temperature, IR saunas use infrared wavelengths that penetrate your skin to increase your temperature from within.
As your muscle temperature gently increases, they relax and release tension, which supports better muscle elasticity. So by incorporating infrared saunas into your pre-game or post-game routine, you help prep your body against strains, ligament injuries, and other cold-related stiffness issues that could hamper your performance and recovery.
3. Enhanced Recovery and Reduced Muscle Soreness
By reducing blood flow, cold temperatures can delay recovery, resulting in muscle soreness and tension. Fortunately, studies show infrared saunas can help improve recovery after physical activities such as sports or exercise.
One of the mechanisms behind this enhanced recovery feature is hyperthermic conditioning. In this process, the body gradually adapts to regular, moderate increases in core temperature. This adaptation increases the body’s resilience, which allows faster recovery and less post-exercise muscle soreness, or delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
4. Immune System Stimulation for Cold-Related Illness Prevention
Infrared saunas induce a process called “heat stress” which mimics a fever response in the body. This stimulates and activates immune cells, including white blood cells and T-lymphocytes, and creates an environment where many bacteria and viruses find it challenging to survive.
For winter athletes, this means better protection against immune challenges such as colds and respiratory infections that often come with cold environments. Avoiding these also means reduced downtime from their training and competition schedules.
How to Incorporate Infrared Sauna Sessions into a Winter Sports Routine
- Pre-Activity Warm-Up: Short infrared sessions of around 10-15 minutes are effective for warming up muscles and increasing circulation before any kind of physical activity. This is particularly helpful in conditioning the muscles against strain injuries.
- Post-Activity Recovery: After intense physical activity, sitting in an infrared sauna can help flush out metabolic byproducts like lactic acid, which relieves soreness and enhances recovery speed. The warmth also helps the muscles relax.
- Weekly Maintenance Sessions: The key to achieving results with infrared saunas is consistent use. Through this, results accumulate over time, further improving bodily functions that can contribute to better resilience and rejuvenation capabilities. Consistent sessions also enhance the treatment’s immune system boost feature.
Key Takeaways
The intense physical requirements of winter sports and the harsh cold of the environment they’re often played in can take a toll on the athlete’s body. By incorporating infrared saunas into their routine, however, they can prepare their body properly, reducing the risk of illnesses and injuries, and also enhance their recovery.
At Sun Stream Infrared Saunas, we provide high-quality infrared saunas designed to support athletes at every level. Explore our at-home infrared sauna products today or contact us for more questions or inquiries. We’d be happy to help!