Floatation improves sleep & performance recovery in athletes
Researchers at Waikato University took a closer look at float tanks and athletic recovery. Here is what they found — and why it matters if you compete.
Researchers at New Zealand's own Waikato University recently took a closer look at float tanks and how they might improve athletic performance and help muscle recovery, in a study titled Flotation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy improves sleep and performance recovery in athletes.
In this small study, they compared floating to passive recovery. They found floating had a positive impact on:
- Muscle recovery
- Performance
- Muscle soreness
- Feelings of fatigue and sleep quality
These benefits would be a pretty big deal to anyone — but when the competition is as tough as it is for competitive athletes, this edge could be the difference between the win you've been training for and… something else.
Research on floating in sport has been done overseas, but it's especially cool to see it gaining traction here in New Zealand.
Want the practical version? Read how to use float therapy to train better and recover faster, or why athletes float before competition. Ready to try it for yourself? Start with the intro offer.