Don’t prepare, prepare to fail. Don’t recover and the same goes for top sport – that’s why top stars like Vinicius Jnr are so eager to take their game to the next level.
The Real Madrid star was pictured cooling off in his own personal treatment pod following his side’s latest victory over Osasuna over the weekend in the Copa Del Rey. He’ll spend 90 minutes in the room after every game and it’s no surprise why.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chambers – which can cost as much as £100,000 – increase the air pressure inside the device, forcing the user’s lungs to collect up to 15 times more oxygen.
They are primarily seen as a way to speed up recovery from an injury or swelling, but they also help ensure that an athlete performs at their peak.
Increased circulation and oxygenation of the blood can lead to improved physical performance, while the added oxygen levels in tissues and cells also provide more energy, significantly reducing post-performance fatigue, as outlined by Rehabilitation mart.
Vinicius Junior became the latest sports star to show off their use of hyperbaric chambers
The technology is described as a ‘game-changer’ that allows athletes to recover faster
HBOT chambers are known to quickly repair muscle after flushing the body with oxygen and stimulating the release of stem cells, which can help repair damaged tissue and reduce inflammation in the body.
It can also stimulate the production of white blood cells – fighting off the threat of infection and disease. This is the body’s natural protective response and the influx of oxygen from the chamber will reduce the chances of an athlete hurting themselves, including reducing swelling, pain and scarring.
That same increase in oxygen also benefits the brain – boosting energy production and awakening inactive neurons – helping athletes think faster and more clearly in pressured situations.
And with concussion and brain injury an increasing concern in elite sports such as football, NFL and rugby, research has found HBOT to be an effective treatment for concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
In addition, athletes who use hyperbaric chambers are also more likely to get a better night’s sleep. The therapy is believed to help the brain shut down at night and promote deep, restorative sleep. Better sleep leads to better recovery, which leads to better performance.
With better performance and less fatigue, it’s only natural that athletes are going to reap the benefits – which is why the likes of LeBron James, Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic are all believed to have benefited from them during their career.
Top sports stars like Tiger Woods are known for using hyperbaric chambers, as is fitness fanatic Cristiano Ronaldo
After suffering an Achilles tendon injury in 2008 and looking to recover and return the following year, Woods had a room installed in his house – before winning six PGA Tour competitions the following year.
Woods sang his praises at the 2010 Masters and credits the technology for its remarkable comeback.
‘It [hyperbaric therapy] helps you heal faster,” he said. “And I did everything I could to recover faster.”
Ronaldo – known as a fitness enthusiast and health freak – has also invested in a room to keep him in top shape.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is 38, but has been performing at the highest level for a number of years and he owes it all to his fitness regime – which also saw him buy a £50,000 ice room.
While playing for United last year, he reportedly had a £15,000 oxygen chamber installed at his English home in Cheshire.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘Everyone knows that Cristiano is a fitness fanatic and totally committed to being in the best shape possible.
‘He’s used oxygen chambers before in his career, but they’re not that easy to find in the UK, so he decided to buy one and have it installed in his home.
“It means if he ever feels a twinge, he can start using it and get the benefits.” These are the reasons why he misses so few games due to injury.’
Basketball sensation LeBron James has also shared videos and clips of him using a hyperbaric chamber – showing off his recovery in one on YouTube and even bragging about “taking a nap” in a chamber in an Instagram story.
Basketball sensation LeBron James has been an avid user of oxygen chambers lately
Swimming legend Michael Phelps said oxygen chambers were key to prolonging his career
It’s no coincidence that some of the sport’s most prominent stars – and top performers – have all used the rooms.
Ronaldo, Woods, Phelps, Djokovic and James have all been series winners in their careers, who have enjoyed consistent showings and longevity in their professions.
16-time Olympic medalist Phelps said a hyperbaric chamber was key to prolonging his career, saying he slept in it ahead of the 2012 London games.
“We’ve been able to realize so many times that it’s something that helps me recover,” he said the same year. “That’s something that’s so important to me now that I’m older. I’m not recovering as quickly as I used to.
“Imagine a bed with a box around it. It’s a little strange, but it’s okay. I do not mind.’
The swimming icon went on to win four gold medals at the London Olympics: the 100-meter butterfly, the 200-meter individual medley, the 4×200-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter individual medley.