To maintain their fitness levels as quickly as possible after playing a match, professional footballers recover in a variety of ways. For example, physiotherapists, massage therapists, nutritionists, coaches, and the players themselves all play a major role in keeping players in top shape. Here is a closer look at exactly how the professionals help the top-level footballers recover in between matches.
Which techniques are best for the speediest recovery after matches?
One of the most effective recovery methods you should try straight after an intensive training session or match is to have a deep relaxing bath or shower and then get a good night’s sleep. It would be beneficial to try and get a bare minimum of 8 hours of sleep, but two or more hours on top of this would be even better for your body. Falling into a deep sleep also really helps your muscles to recover and allows you to rejuvenate and get ready for whatever comes next.
Hydration is extremely important, so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Fruit juices are also a great way to hydrate yourself, but remember that water is key. Hydrating yourself can also help speed up the recovery, especially with regard to your muscles. You don’t necessarily have to down one pint after another, but certainly, remember that it’s good to sip plenty throughout the day.
If you don’t have any injuries from the previous day’s workout/training session/match, then you need to get straight back into training the following day. This could include going for a jog or a bike ride or having a session in the gym. Also, make sure that you stretch properly before you start.
Which players have the strictest recovery regimes?
Professional football players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Sergio Ramos (PSG), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Adama Traoré (Wolves), and Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) are just a handful of players that are known for putting themselves through tremendously strict recovery regimes.
Just look at their bodies when you next watch them in action and then take into consideration not only their age but also the level of football they play on a regular basis. If you’re looking to get to watch any Premier League matches live and want to buy – for example – Arsenal tickets right now to watch your favourite stars, don’t forget that there are several trusted online vendors that have reasonably priced tickets, such as Seatpick.
What else do these professional players do to recover?
These players have amazing diets that most professional football players find hard to stick to. Straight after a match, Ronaldo will eat plenty of fresh fruit, occasionally pizza, and plenty of other little snacks that are rich in carbohydrates. He is also known for taking his recovery to the next level by having ice baths or even cryotherapy.
He frequently takes hot and cold baths, which are designed to have an anti-inflammatory effect on any bruising he may have picked up while playing. Ronaldo is not the only player to have a session in the hot tub or jacuzzi before and after games or swim a few lengths of a pool. A growing number of stars from most major sports regularly use one or all of these techniques after playing sports to ensure they are in peak shape for their next competitive match.
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