Even if athletes are not injured, recovery after intense activity is essential in order to keep the body performing at its highest levels. In fact, a regular recovery regimen is one of the key factors in separating elite athletes from other competitors.

Active Recovery

It is not uncommon for individuals who have participated in any type of aerobic exercise to do a “cool down.” Often this cool down involves a light jog after an intense run or a low-resistance bike ride after a high-intensity cycle. Cool downs also include activity as simple as a brisk walk. These are low-intensity activities and have been categorized as “active recovery.” The goal of active recovery is to remove lactic acid more rapidly after a high-intensity workout.

The down-side of active recovery is that some of the metabolic wastes (like carbon dioxide) that need to exit the body for optimal recovery are not eliminated quickly enough, or not in the appropriate quantities. This is because the body is still in motion and the respiratory system is being exerted – even if it’s just mildly.

Active recovery also includes massage therapy. Massages work to relieve pain from a specific muscle group or to lengthen and stretch muscles.

A helpful way to differentiate active recovery vs. other types of recovery is that active recovery involves some type of activity that keeps the body and/or muscles in motion without exerting the muscles.

Passive Recovery

Others will participate in passive recovery. One of the most popular methods of passive recovery is RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation.). The goal of this method is to increase circulation and reduce swelling or inflammation. Another goal of icing is to deliver an increased flow of blood to a particular muscle group and to cause muscle contractions.

Passive recovery can also include heating pads and saunas. The goal is to allow the body and muscles extreme rest and to not cause any further exertion to areas of the body that have just been through strenuous activity.

Recovery Edge Therapy System

The Recovery Edge Therapy System offers the benefits of both types of recovery methods by utilizing the sequential compression system which improves the flow of lymphatic fluid and white blood cells throughout the body. This allows metabolic waste to exit the body sooner and decrease the likelihood of swelling or inflammation. These benefits work in combination to provide muscle revitalization and an enhanced level of performance the next day.

The Recovery Edge Therapy System provides a different outcome compared to treatments such as massage therapy or ice therapy.

While massages work to relieve pain from a specific muscle group or to lengthen and stretch muscles, the Recovery Edge Therapy System works systematically by engaging the venous system (veins) in addition to enhancing the natural muscle healing process.

Also icing is more suited for acute injuries while the Recovery Edge Therapy System is for daily use and workout/competition recovery. Icing is not ideal for daily recovery given the ways in which it constricts the blood vessels.

The Recovery Edge Therapy System provides enough muscle compression that provides the benefits of active therapy, while allowing the body to rest and alleviate any additional exertion or trauma to muscle groups.

With so many different types of compression garments, how is anyone supposed to know how to choose?

Socks, Pants, and Tights

Passive (vs. recovery) has become a staple in effective post-workout/competition recovery. In the same sense, compression therapy has also become a cooperating agent in passive recovery. The good thing about garments such as these, is that they will assist in the prevention of further injury or trauma. The down-side; they often do not eliminate the metabolic wastes required for optimal effect in an efficient amount of time and/or quantities.

However, there is a larger advantage for these types of garments during active recovery (i.e. light jogging, brisk walking, low-intensity cycling, etc.). In this state, the garments will help increase healthy venous circulation.

Additionally, socks, pants and tights will help circulation for those who are not heavily active throughout the day (i.e. individuals who must sit at a desk for several hours, required to stand in a stationary position for an extended period, etc.).

Even in these situations, the Edge Recovery System is an improved option given the effects it has on the reduction of metabolic waste and alleviation of swelling for anyone who is moderately, to highly active.

Pneumatic (Air) Compression Devices

The concept behind pneumatic compression devices, regardless of the garment type, is to mirror our bodies natural process of circulation. Our bodies naturally use muscle energy to move lymphatic fluid to and from our limbs (i.e. feet and hands).

Pneumatic compression devices has historically been donned during active recovery. So while the metabolic wastes are being eliminated to some extent, it is not achieving its optimal levels that passive compression therapy provides – alleviating the respiratory system from having to “work.”

Recovery Edge System Results

Because the Recovery Edge System enhances the pneumatic compression process with “sequential compression” one is able to experience the benefits of both active recovery (keeping the muscles in motion) and passive recovery (keeping the body at rest).

Sequential gradient pumps work to “massage” the body. Its strategic sequence of the air and compression helps to control how much pressure is released to the ends of your limbs (i.e. hands and feet) in a given timeframe.

In this sequence, there is a larger amount of pressure applied to the hands and feet. Pressure is gradually lessened as the garment works up the arms or legs. The goal is to keep fluids from flowing and bottlenecking “downward” in the hands or feet.

While the garments lessen as they work their way up the body, they do not completely release – like that of peristaltic compression. Therefore, compression is continuously flowing in all areas of the limb(s) providing a longer, more complete timeframe of recovery for the affected area.

The bottom line: sequential fill compression provides optimal, desired effects due to systematic compression vs. segmented compression.

Peristalic Compression

Compression, regardless of the category, is going to enhance circulation in some way. However, there are differentiating factors between a standard peristaltic compression (i.e “wave” or “pulse”) and sequential compression. The biggest factor being the time frame of the single “pulse” of compression.

When athletes or anyone in need of enhanced circulation utilize peristaltic compression, the device will massage a single area of the body, release, and then move to a different area of the body or limb. The process works more in segments than it does in combination or a complete, revolving and circular system.

Sequential Compression

The Recovery Edge Therapy System offers sequential compression which improves the flow of lymphatic fluid and white blood cells throughout the body. This allows metabolic waste to exit the body sooner and decrease the likelihood of swelling or inflammation. These benefits work in combination to provide muscle revitalization and an enhanced level of performance the next day.

Sequential gradient pumps work to “massage” the body. Its strategic sequence of the air and compression helps to control how much pressure is released to the ends of your limbs (i.e. hands and feet) in a given timeframe.

In this sequence, there is a larger amount of pressure applied to the hands and feet. Pressure is gradually lessened as the garment works up the arms or legs. The goal is to keep fluids from flowing and bottlenecking “downward” in the hands or feet.

While the garments lessen as they work their way up the body, they do not completely release – like that of peristaltic compression. Therefore, compression is continuously flowing in all areas of the limb(s) providing a longer, more complete timeframe of recovery for the affected area.

Our bodies naturally use muscle energy to move lymphatic fluid to and from our limbs, but the Recovery Edge Therapy System enhances this process.

During Exertion

When the body and muscles are in a state of high-intensity activity, (i.e. running, swimming, cycling, etc.), we naturally create metabolic waste. Metabolic waste is matter that the body cannot utilize in a productive way; additionally, the waste has negative effects that cause fatigue and soreness. Fatigue and soreness, as anyone knows who has experienced these negative effects of exercise and competition, typically results in a decrease of performance on the following day, or for a few days. Therefore, individuals who can expel these wastes from their bodies sooner, have a greater chance of improved performance compared to others and/or competitors.

Additionally, metabolic wastes levels are increased as an individual is engaged in high-level activity for a longer period of time. Basically, a longer workout equals more metabolic waste, and a shorter workout results in less.

Two key wastes that create the most soreness and/or fatigue are lactic acid and carbon dioxide. The body’s circulatory system naturally disposes of these wastes, however, the process is slowed down once activity is completed and the body is in a state of rest. Therefore, our bodies can sometimes “hold on” to the wastes too long and create longer-lasting fatigue and soreness.

In the endurance community, there is a term known as “lactate threshold” (LT). This threshold is dependent on each individual and it refers to how much lactate can effectively and naturally be removed before it begins to build-up in the muscles. Those with a higher threshold have less metabolic waste to remove than those with a lower threshold.

Highly competitive athletes will have strict regimens to train their bodies to increase their LT, so they can continue to perform at higher levels than their competition. The challenge in this is the body’s arterial system “works harder” to keep us fueled for activity…. Much faster than the venous system can keep up with. Therefore, we end up having more fuel than we can utilize and it, consequently, builds up in the muscles as waste.

After Exertion

As soon as the body slows down from high-level activity, the speed at which we remove lactic acid and carbon dioxide from the body slows significantly. The body realizes it is no longer in “fleet mode” and stops utilizing the fuel it has been provided. That fuel, however, needs to be utilized in order to keep it from building up as metabolic waste and resulting in the performance-diminishing soreness and fatigue.

One of the goals is to restock the body with fresh oxygen and plasma; but the waste has to be eliminated to “make room” for these enhancers. Oxygen and plasma are the key success factors
in creating healthy cells. Healthy cells create enhanced muscles and tendons, which creates stronger performance.

Compression therapy like that provided by the Recovery Edge Therapy System, enhances the body’s natural process of circulation to eliminate waste without any post-activity delay. The System engages the venous system, helping to flow blood and oxygen to the muscles, while simultaneously decreasing amounts of lactic acid, carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes.

The Recovery Edge Therapy System utilizes a sequential compression system which improves the flow of lymphatic fluid and white blood cells throughout the body. This allows metabolic waste to exit the body sooner and decrease the likelihood of swelling or inflammation. These benefits work in combination to provide muscle revitalization and an enhanced level of performance the next day(s).

There are three ideal times to utilize Recovery compression garments immediately after your workout, or at the end of your busy day.

Post-Workout

Set your timer for 30 to 45 minutes. Post-workout compression increases blood and oxygen flow to the muscles, while simultaneously decreasing amounts of lactic acid and other wastes that are naturally produced by your muscles during periods of activity.

End-of-Day

Set your timer for 60 to 90 minutes.

In order to best understand how arteritis and veins play a role in recovery for individuals engaged in exercise/competitive activities, one must first understand the difference between arteries and veins; in regards to their “job.” The role of arteries is to carry the fuel we need from the heart to the rest of the body – blood and plasma. Veins, on the other hand carry deoxygenated blood and other metabolic wastes (CO2, excess water and lactic acid) from the body to the heart. Once the blood is re-fueled with oxygen, the arteries will carry it back throughout the body.

Why is this important to – not only to active living – but life in general? Our bodies need oxygen to survive! Our bodies not only need oxygen to survive, but we burn oxygen for energy. Therefore, when an individual is engaged in high-intensity workouts, exercise, and competition, he or she is going to be burning more of that needed oxygen. It’s imperative, then, that the venous system is working systemically with the arterial system to continuously and adequately remove the metabolic waste (through the veins) and recharge oxygen and plasma (through the arteries).

Arteries, unlike the veins, have the advantage of the heart to keep it working. Veins, on the other hand, rely on skeletal muscle activity to perform their duty of eliminating wastes. Large muscle groups, then, like those found in the lower extremity, are the main source of power for the venous system.

How is this related to post-activity recovery?

As soon as the body slows down from high-level activity, the speed at which we remove lactic acid and carbon dioxide from the body slows significantly because the body’s main “pumps” (large muscle groups) have stopped working. The fuel that has been provided by the arteries, however, needs to be utilized in order to keep it from building up as metabolic waste and resulting in the performance-diminishing soreness and fatigue.

The Recovery Edge Therapy System utilizes a sequential compression system that keeps the muscles engaged in resting recovery, which keeps them moving without causing muscular exertion and does not require energy from the respiratory system. This allows metabolic waste to continue to exit the body as if it were in active motion. These benefits work in combination to provide muscle revitalization and an enhanced level of performance the next day(s).