Suffering with sore muscles after exercise? A soak in a hot tub might be just the ticket!
Long before the invention of hot tubs, hot springs were sought out for their therapeutic benefits. Immersing yourself in hot water feels good, so it’s no surprise that when you have aching muscles you want nothing more than hot bath or even better, a soak in a hot tub.
Muscles recover with warmth
There’s no doubt that sitting in a hot tub with sore muscles feels great, but does it actually help your muscles recover? Until recently scientists weren’t sure if applying cold or heat was best for muscle soreness, but you’ll probably be pleased to know that new research has revealed that you can skip the ice bath and jump straight into a warm hot tub!
According to the New York Times, the study found that “muscles recover better after exhausting exercise if they are warmed than if they are chilled”. The new research, published in the Journal of Physiology, found that “warming muscles probably aids in recovery by augmenting the muscles’ uptake of carbohydrates”.
Underwater jet massage can help muscles recover faster
Another study found that “warm underwater jet-massage” improves recovery from intense physical exercise. The study, by Viitasalo JT, Niemela K, Kaappola R, et al, studied muscle soreness in junior track and field athletes. Half the group used an underwater jet massage three times a week for 20 minutes, while the control group did not. Those using the jet massage saw gains in performance, suggesting their muscles recovered faster.
Enjoy a soothing soak
So can a hot tub help sore muscles? Scientific studies seem to support what we instinctively feel – that soaking in a hot tub soothes sore muscles, and may even help them recover.
So if you have been exercising hard, why not try a soothing soak, if nothing else, you’ll feel relaxed afterwards, and your hard-working muscles might thank you for it. Take a look at the full HotSpring Hot Tubs range.