This route may have been sold as Turmeric Latte from the cafe explosion in the USA a decade ago. But the England football team has officially included yellow super-powder aka turmeric in their recovery regimen.
The New York Times reports that after the fight against Mexico in Azteca, England is consuming a turmeric concoction to combat muscle soreness. Ginger (adrak) and omega 3 fish oil are also recommended Media reported how the Three Lions are preparing for the transition from bitterly cold Mexico City to Miami, where they will face Erling Haaland and Norway for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
The competition is largely about quick turnarounds and high-intensity face-offs. With the results of many games not being decided until very late, it was not easy and the recovery time extended throughout the day.
Apart from a diet of carbohydrates and protein to compensate for the energy loss, Harry Kane and his teammates also now have a regulated SOP for all top teams. After years of Epsom salts to replenish magnesium sulfate reserves, ice baths have become routine; The English travel with lasers for infrared therapy.
Added to that 8-degree cooling end of the ice tub is another innovation – sitting in a 90-degree sauna to the liking of Holland, who also has a £50,000 cryotherapy chamber installed at his Cheshire home. At the World Cup, ice bath units travel with teams, as does food.
But the recovery involved rebuilding entire laser rooms – something Haaland is also doing at Manchester City. Time in an infrared room directly raises body temperature and relaxes muscles. According to The Sun, fresh blood is known to run up the legs, as the panels emit a red light that sinks into the muscles, joints and tissues behind the skin.
Haaland, in fact, invested in a £15,000 red-light bed two years ago, and The Sun reports that five minutes before and 20 minutes after a workout can help prevent injury and aid recovery. His real refueling, of course, is raw-milk spinach dip, tomahawk steaks, and beef heart and liver.
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Norway’s Erling Halland invested in a £15,000 red-light bed two years ago. (Photo: AP)
Technology to the rescue
Spain is an early adopter of advanced treatments such as EMTT (Extracorporeal Magneto Transduction Therapy) and NESA (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation). EMTT involves sending rapid magnetic wave signals – described as a speed battery charger – through the body, and helps block pain signals, and accelerates tissue repair. Magnetic fields penetrate the body and accelerate tissue regeneration, explains VennHealthcare.
NESA looks for electrical micro-current impulses that prompt the nervous system to start the process of reducing pain and inflammation. The European champions have dedicated research since five years ago when magnetic and shockwave therapies were put into research and implementation.
The Swiss lean on rehydration through berry juice and are known to eat tart cherries – for their high percentage of melatonin. Compression garments are commonly used to force and regulate blood flow to the legs.
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But Nordic trendsetter Haaland may have the final word. Super-trick: Get 8-9 hours of deep sleep.
“Sleep is the most important thing in the world. To get a good night’s sleep, (I) do simple things [like wearing] Blocking out blue glasses and turning off all signals in the bedroom,” he said on Logan Paul’s Impulsive Podcast.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni pointed out that fixture congestion has become an adversary for his team. But the backroom staff mournfully watch Messi and Co’s recovery – particularly difficult as they are the ninth-oldest team in the competition.
MundoAmerica.com reported that each athlete must complete a recovery card worth 150 points each week, completing a series of tasks, each with specific points: 14 minutes of cycling for 40 points, five foam rolling for 10 points, while a cold bath and massage get 30, as does four minutes of upper-body strength training. The goal is for everyone to have 150 points on their card, which is monitored by medical staff.
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But Scaloni’s lament highlighted that the recovery was difficult – perhaps Argentina’s strongest rival.