Recovery after games

[kdf5]

Originally Posted by ChicagoLJ

How do you guys do it??? I've never had a problem in the past but this week has been awful. After 7 games from Friday to Sunday I've just been hurting. Normally after Monday's I'm fine but I woke up in pain again today.

Luckily, I suppose, all the pain is located in just one of my legs (hey, I got two). Achillies, knee, and hamstring all killing me on the left leg.

What do you guys do to recover after games and get ready for the following week?

Ibuprofen, lots of water, stretch, light exercise, in that order.

[Jim D.]

Cold Bud and hot tub!

[bossman72]

I posted this on another forum, so hopefully this will help:

1) Cold Tub - this is quite possibly the best thing you can do for sore legs. You don't even have to have an injury to do the cold tub. If your legs are very sore, do it! The "designed" cold tubs are the best because you can stand up in them, but you can make a home made one in your bath tub that is serviceable. Buy one of those extra large bags of ice at the store and dump it in your bath tub. Fill it up with cold water and jump in with a pair of underwear or compression shorts. Stay in for about 15 to 20 min. When doing the home made one, be sure to move around a bit since the parts of your legs and butt that are contacting the tub won't get as cold. For the first 5 minutes it SUCKS, but grit your teeth and stay in there. After you get numb it's tolerable.

I promise you your legs will feel like a million bucks if you do the cold tub properly.

2) Ibuprofen - Just pop 2 or 3 before your game to take the edge off. It won't cure it, but it will dull the pain a little.

3) Buy a foam roller. Here is the one I use : http://www.power-systems.com/p-2972-...am-roller.aspx (the big round one)

Roll out and do a stretch routine after every game and that will take a good bit of the soreness out of your legs and back. This is also a great tool for preventing soreness.

4) Stretch / warm up - If officiating a game is a highly physical activity for you (everyone is different) then it's important to warm up before so you don't pull anything. It's recommended to DYNAMICALLY stretch (lots of movement - ie- lying straight leg raises) rather than statically stretch (ie- touch your toes) before activity. It's just as important to STRETCH DOWN after the game as it is before. Stretching down prevents soreness. Static stretches are the best for stretching down. Stretch first, then foam roll.

5) General injuries - ALWAYS ICE before heat. Ice until the swelling disappears, then you can heat if you want.


Hope this helps!

[JRutledge]

I do not do 7 games on one day anymore.

Peace

[KWH]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not do 7 games on one day anymore.

Peace

Neither did ChicagoLJ!!!