While floating, the pressure of gravity is taken off the joints and muscles and the body as a whole is put in to a high state of physical relaxation. Both blood pressure and oxygen intake are reduced but at the same time blood flow and the distribution of red blood cells increase. The combined effects are of particular benefit to athletes seeking speeding recovery from injury and assisting in the flushing of lactate, cortisone, and adrenaline that may have built up either through training or performance.
Floatation has been shown to loosen the muscles and give athletes a greater degree of control over their nervous systems. This reduces the risk of injury during training or competition. Floatation not only accelerates the recovery process, but releases vast quantities of endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
Physical exercise can cause a build-up of lactic acid, which is often experienced as pain and a cramping of the muscles, and has been linked with the feelings of depression known as ‘post-game letdown’ which can affect even part-time joggers. Floating resets the body’s chemical and metabolic balance, thus reducing the risk of over training.
Modern training methods focus on helping the athlete to master the ‘inner game’ to develop the perfect synchronicity between mind, body and emotion which is the hallmark of a champion. In the tank the athlete can attain the level of concentration necessary for visualization to have a quantifiable impact on his or her performance, whether it’s running, cycling or seeing the bigger picture.