Aaron Scheides (P.T. & Paralympian) – As athletes, we are always trying to find ways to improve our performance. Our decision on whether to try a certain method or training philosophy is often based upon factors such as time, availability, potential risks and whether it has shown to give positive results. Additionally, we must think about whether the tool is being used to improve recovery thus allowing greater training volume and intensity at less risk of injury or is to directly improve performance by promoting positive physiological changes.
I think Shockwave Therapy is the piece of the training puzzle that many athletes are seeking to fill. No matter the sport or level of competition, most athletes struggle with the same areas. Athletes typically struggle with muscle recovery and injury prevention, increasing muscle recruitment and strength and finding time to complete all training, recovery and life requirements in a 24-hour day.
As an elite athlete as well as a physical therapist, I have found Shockwave Therapy to be beneficial for all of the above listed areas and preliminary research is also supporting these findings. Below I have went into more detail on how and why I believe more trainers, therapists and sport performance programs should look into the use of Shockwave Therapy treatment with their athletes.
MUSCLE RECOVERY AND INJURY PREVENTION:
As athletes we are continuously breaking down our muscle tissue and are looking for something that can promote muscle repair. Often this means that we need something that will increase blood flow to the muscles or something that will have an impact on the cells regenerative processes. Studies have shown Shockwave Therapy increases blood flow, oxygenation, metabolic process activation and proliferative effect. These effects should justify the use of shockwave therapy to reduce muscular fatigue and improve performance during the sport season. Personally, as an endurance athlete, I use the Kinas Medical Shockwave unit following hard training sessions to promote the blood flow to the muscles and have had great success with its benefit on releasing fascia that often becomes restricted. Areas that I use it most frequently as an endurance athletes are my Iliotibial band (ITB), gastrocnemius and soleus as well as quadriceps muscles.
MUSCLE RECRUITMENT AND STRENGTH:
Muscle strength is built by the muscle tissues repairing themselves and making positive adaptations following the break down during exercise.
According to a study looking at muscular content following the use of Shockwave Therapy, the size and myo-onuclear content of regenerating fibers in the Shockwave treated muscle was significantly increased compared with non-Shockwave treated muscle fibers at both 4 and 7 days after injury. Mitotic activity at 4 days after injury was doubled in the Shockwave treated muscles compared with the non-Shockwave treated muscles. The conclusion was that Shockwave therapy stimulates regeneration of skeletal muscle tissue and accelerates repair processes.
Some studies have also been done that at least give preliminary evidence that Shockwave Therapy can help in increasing muscle activation patterns and speed. One study looking at golfers and weightlifters found that muscle activation was faster in the muscle groups studied for both golfers and weightlifters, thus leading to faster club head speed and increased weight lifted.
Through my own experiences with Shockwave Therapy, it is hard to measure muscle activation and direct strength gains related to the use of the Shockwave as I do not train in a lab but I do notice following the use of the Shockwave Therapy prior to exercise my muscles feel more prepped and engaged to perform optimally and I have seen very good gains in power output in my bike training since its use began.
TIME:
All athletes and probably all human beings seek the time to get everything they need done. This means that we are looking for solutions that require the least amount of time but still give maximal results. This is one of the key benefits to Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave treatment times are very short lasting only a few minutes. They can be quickly done before or after a workout and take less time than other treatments such as manual therapy. There are very few contraindications or risks that have been found with the use of Shockwave Therapy and so the ability to treat most any body part without concern for doing harm is very reassuring.
I myself am a father of two little boys as well as work part time as a physical therapist in addition to training at an elite level and time is like gold. The Shockwave Therapy sessions are so quick and painless that it is very easy to squeeze into my packed schedule. This is why I think Shockwave Therapy would be very beneficial for many trainers and sport performance programs to incorporate as regular practices with their athletes.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, I have had great success personally with the use of Shockwave Therapy using the Kinas Medical Shockwave unit and I think that Shockwave Therapy has shown beneficial in the areas that most athletes are seeking to benefit. The treatments are so quick, noninvasive and have quick results that I think every athletic trainer and sport performance program should look into incorporating it into their performance programs.
