Olympians are among the most elite athletes in the world. So it’s no surprise that they will utilize the most effective means necessary to compete at the highest level possible. One of those means is a hot tub.
In a recent Washington Post article, former Rutgers University diver David Feigley (now a sports psychologist) shared that a dip in a hot tub immediately after competition is “not an ergogenic aid,” meaning it doesn’t necessarily enhance performance. Bottom line he says, the water in the big Olympic pool is cold, and “divers don’t like cold water.” From his point of view, Feigley stated the tub allows divers to “relax and focus” which can indeed contribute to better diving. Back when he was competiting, Feigley said they didn’t have hot tubs. In between dives, he just stood around shivered.
In the same article, Doug Beavers, a program director at Montgomery Dive Club, said that hot tubs are particularly helpful in big competitions. In addition to keeping their muscles warm and loose, he explained that a hot tub soak may also be an important part of a diver’s routine – and “routine is a big deal. These divers are very likely to have a hot tub at their normal training facility.” Using it can become key in keeping the athlete focused, despite being in an unfamiliar setting.
So while most of us aren’t to the level of competing in the Olympics, we can still make hot tub soaking part of our daily rituals as well. A simple 10-15 minute soak can help increase circulation, relieve muscle pain and tension, even clear your mind and put you at ease. You can find more proven health benefits of hot tubs at our website by clicking here.
To read the entire Washington Post article, click here.