Floating and Sports Benefits

Another was of analyzing the beneficial effects of floating on athletic performance is in terms of the specialization of the brain's hemispheres. We know that when were playing at our best, in those wonderful moments of flow, there's a word less but perfect synchronism between body and mind. We don't have to give orders to the body; it acts perfectly, instantaneously, as in a third baseman's reflex drive for a backhanded spear of a line shot, or a flurry of volleys between two tennis players at the net, action moving too fast for the eye or the rational mind to follow. There are so many simultaneous spatial variables involved in every moment of athletic action that, if the linear, detail oriented left hemisphere tries to interfere, it can only end up disrupting our play. And in the liberation of the right hemisphere, the float tank can be a valuable tool for athletes. There is extensive evidence that floatation causes the dominant verbal left hemisphere to let go its usual tight hand on the controls, allowing the often neglected or undeveloped right hemisphere to come into play. This effect, lasting as it does for many days after a float, can be maintained and carried by the athlete into the arena. It's apparent that the brain's left hemishere (verbal, sequential, analytical, relatively slow, processing details) has little to do with such moments of flow, while the right hemisphere) fast, visual, visual, spatial, holistic, synthetic) is operating freely. Athletic excellence depends so much on the nonverbal, large-scale processing of the right hemisphere that all athletes instinctively know that the intrusion of the nonverbal hemisphere can bring the flow experience to a dead halt. One of the oldest tricks in sports is to cause your opponent to activate the logical, verbal left brain, as when the baseball player, watching his hot-hitting opponent in batting practice, shouts, "Hey, Willie, you're hitting good! What did you do to change your stance-bend your knees more? Willie begins to wonder what he is doing, the left hemisphere swings into action, and the great slump begins.	Floating Increases Athletic Performance and Speeds Recovery from Injuries 1. What are the most prevalent foot and ankle injuries in athletes? Ankle sprains. Sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries in sports. Because the outer ankle is more stable than the inner ankle, the foot is likely to turn inward (ankle inversion) from a fall, tackle, or jump. This stretches or tears ligaments; the result is an ankle sprain. The lateral ligament on the outer ankle is most prone to injury. Achilles tendon injury. The strongest and largest tendon, the Achilles tendon connects muscles in the lower leg with the heel bone. Sports that tighten the calf muscles, such as basketball, high-jumping, running, and hurdling, can overstress this tendon and cause a strain (Achilles tendinitis) or a rupture. Another major cause of this injury is a direct blow to the foot, ankle, or calf. Athletes who increase their running distance or start to run up hills risk Achilles tendon injury. Overuse injuries. Excessive training, such as running long distances without rest, places repeated stress on the foot and ankle. The result can be stress fractures and muscle/tendon strains. Shin splints. Pain in front of the shin bone (tibia), usually is caused by a stress fracture, called shin splints. Overtraining, poorly fitting athletic shoes, and a change in running surface from soft to hard puts athletes at risk for this injury.
2. Induces more rapid healing. Floating brings more oxygen, through increased circulation, to injured areas, allowing the body to heal in half the time. Regular Floating can stop the minor injuries from progressing to Major Problems. Floating aids in the reduction of injuries due to over training or muscular tension and imbalance and enhances the body's ability to recover from injuries and the normal stress of intensive exercise. It speeds the recovery from the stress of peak output, as in races and competition. 3.What activities make athletes most susceptible to foot and ankle injuries? Athletes who jump (i.e., in basketball, volleyball, soccer) risk ankle sprains because they can accidentally land on the side of their foot. Extensive running, exercise, or training also can overstress the ligaments, leading to injury. Contact and kicking sports expose the foot and ankle to potential trauma-direct blows, crushing, displacement, etc. Trauma can dislocate a joint, fracture a bone, stretch or tear ligaments, or strain muscles and tendons. This is especially prevalent in football, hockey, and soccer. Running sports, especially those that require a quick start, pose risk for sprains, strains, and stress fractures.	3. Improves Circulation. Floating in a pool with 800 pounds of Epsom salt allows the floater to have no weight on the spinal column. The blood flows to the extremities. Floating increases physical relaxation, which leads to improved performance, greater stamina, speed, strength, and coordination. When you combine Floating with a Regular Training Program, Proper Diet and Mind Set, you have the Optimum Conditions for Success in your Sport.
4.What are the most prevalent knee injuries in athletes? Many athletes experience injuries in their knee ligaments. Of the four major ligaments found in the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) often are injured in sports. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) also is frequently injured. Changing or twisting direction rapidly, slowing down when running, and landing from a jump are often the causes of tears in the ACL. Athletes participating in skiing and basketball and athletes wearing cleated shoes, such as football players, are susceptible to ACL injuries. Injuries to the MCL usually are caused by contact on the outside of the knee. These types of blows to the knee often are encountered in contact sports such as football. The PCL can be injured during a sports activity when the athlete receives a blow to the front of the knee or makes a simple misstep on the playing field. Athletes engaging in contact sports such as football or soccer are susceptible to a PCL injury. Other than ligament injuries, are athletes susceptible to any other types of injuries? Torn knee cartilage is experienced by many athletes. When people talk about torn knee cartilage, they usually are referring to a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage that is attached to the knee's ligaments. It acts like a shock absorber. In athletic activities, mensicus tears usually occur when twisting, cutting, pivoting, decelerating, or being tackled. Direct contact is often involved.	How are knee injuries treated? There are a variety of methods used by orthopaedic surgeons to treat knee injuries in athletes. The most important advice is to seek treatment as soon as possible. A common method used by orthopedic surgeons to treat mild knee injuries is R.I.C.E.-rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Rest the knee by staying off it or walking only with crutches. Apply ice to control swelling. Use a compressive elastic bandage applied snugly but loosely enough so that it does not cause pain. Finally, keep the knee elevated.  5. Reduces Pain, reduce Gravity (by decreasing lactic acid and increasing beta endorphins). Floating in Epsom salt, gravity free, allows the natural product of your own bodies natural pain killer beta endorphin. Pain stops the Breath, and Breath is the Only real Healer.
6. Increases effectiveness of guided imagery. Floating improves coordination and performance skills due to in-tank Visualization and Guided Imagery Rehearsal. Review technique in the Tank and Surprise Yourself when the actual Performance goes without a Flaw.  Floating leads to Increased Confidence, Concentration, Calmness and Poise.	Health Benefits * Business Benefits * Beauty Benefits * Stress Benefits

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