The Impact of Pressotherapy on Athletes' Performance

We know firsthand that pressotherapy has become a key element in recent years for many athletes to improve their performance, to prevent injuries or reduce their risk. Its ergonomic machines and ease of use anytime at home have led more and more users to try this type of muscle therapy.

It is well established that sports performance does not depend solely on training and nutrition. This is something our athletes have known practically since they started their journey in the world of sports. The third pillar for good sports performance is the ability to recover muscles after exertion.

In this regard, pressotherapy is the key tool to optimize recovery, improve circulation and reduce muscle fatigue in athletes from various disciplines. Next, from SIZEN we bring you an article explaining how the treatment can benefit athletes and help them stay at their best level—and, of course, extrapolating, how it could affect you.

¿What is pressotherapy and how does it work?

The technical description of pressotherapy is a treatment based on the application of controlled pressure on the limbs, muscles, and fibers through pneumatic boots or sleeves connected to an air compressor. The device inflates and deflates the air chambers sequentially, producing a very rhythmic massage that stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation in the specific muscle area to be treated.

Additionally, this compression and relaxation effect promotes the elimination of fluid retention and adipose fat, as well as waste substances accumulated in muscle tissues after intense exercise. So, if you’re wondering, the answer is yes: it helps reduce body inflammation and edema, promoting a faster and more efficient recovery and reducing swelling in many areas of your body.

Benefits of pressotherapy for athletes

These are the main benefits:

• Reduction of muscle fatigue: One of the main benefits of pressotherapy is its ability to accelerate the elimination of lactic acid accumulated in the muscles. During intense exercise, the body produces lactic acid as a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, causing a burning sensation and muscle fatigue. Pressotherapy helps drain these metabolic wastes, reducing tiredness and allowing athletes to recover their performance more quickly.
• Decrease in inflammation and edema: Intense physical effort causes micro-injuries in muscle fibers, triggering an inflammatory response. As a result, there is increased capillary permeability and fluid accumulation in tissues, causing swelling and discomfort. Pressotherapy promotes the reabsorption of these fluids, reducing inflammation and helping prevent overload injuries.
• Improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation: Pressotherapy acts as a deep massage that stimulates blood and lymph flow. This not only allows better oxygenation of tissues but also facilitates toxin elimination and reduces fluid retention. An efficient circulatory system contributes to faster and more effective muscle recovery.
• Injury prevention: Accumulated fatigue and poor circulation can increase the risk of muscle and joint injuries. Pressotherapy helps prevent these problems by improving tissue elasticity and reducing muscle stiffness. By incorporating this treatment into the recovery routine, athletes can minimize the risk of overloads or micro-injuries that affect their performance.

Scientific evidence on pressotherapy in sports

Although there are numerous studies on the effects of pressotherapy in athletes, results clearly vary depending on the type of sport practiced, the intensity of effort these athletes undergo, and the variables analyzed—for example, playing one match a month is not the same as being a starter every weekend.

Some studies suggest that pressotherapy does not directly influence sports performance improvement in terms of records or times, and this is quite evident since it does not act as a training boost. However, it has been shown to promote faster recovery and reduce the perception of fatigue and muscle pain, which is very necessary for elite athletes.

It has been proven that applying pressotherapy after exercise accelerates lactic acid elimination and decreases muscle inflammation, allowing athletes to resume training with less discomfort and greater efficiency. Likewise, some studies indicate that its continued use can reduce the duration and intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), commonly known as "muscle stiffness."

Integrating pressotherapy into the sports routine

To achieve the best results, pressotherapy should be strategically incorporated into the athlete’s training and recovery plan. Some recommendations include:

• Immediate use after physical activity: Applying pressotherapy after intense training or competitions helps accelerate muscle recovery.
• Regular sessions: Using pressotherapy periodically, even on rest days, promotes circulation and prevents fatigue buildup.
• Combination with other methods: Complementing pressotherapy with other recovery strategies such as stretching, proper hydration, and balanced nutrition enhances its benefits.

That said, from SIZEN we encourage both elite athletes and any user who practices any type of sport or training of any intensity to use pressotherapy as a post-workout resource.

Its positive effects on reducing lactic acid and decreasing edema make it a valuable tool to prevent injuries and maintain a high level of physical performance—in addition to its effects on improving circulation and thus reducing the body swelling that bothers us so much. Integrated into a well-planned recovery routine, pressotherapy can make a difference in the preparation and well-being of any athlete.