Athlete recovery: common problems and how Aquilo cold compression helps
Sausport Blog
Training well means recovering well. This guide covers six common athlete problems and shows, with simple examples, how Aquilo cold compression therapy can help, when to use it and how often.
The examples are general guidance. The right frequency and protocol depend on each person and should be agreed with the physiotherapist, physician or coach.
In short
- A typical session lasts about 30 minutes, with cold and compression at the same time.
- Use it after exercise, especially on high-load days or back-to-back matches.
- Pick the sleeve by area: full leg, knee and elbow, ankle and shoulder, arm and leg.
1. Heavy legs after a demanding session
- Example
- Example: a runner after a long session, or a gym-goer after leg day.
- How to use it
- Full leg sleeve, with cold and compression, about 30 minutes as soon as possible after training.
- How often
- In high-load phases, two to four times a week, on the hardest days.
2. Matches on consecutive days
- Example
- Example: a weekend football, handball or basketball tournament.
- How to use it
- One session after each match, taking the unit to the hotel or locker room. The internal battery lets you work without a socket.
- How often
- Once per competition day.
3. Swollen, sore knee or elbow
- Example
- Example: knee overload in a tennis player, or elbow overload in a throwing athlete.
- How to use it
- Knee and elbow sleeve, with cold and gentle compression, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- How often
- As advised by the physiotherapist, usually after activity.
4. Ankle or shoulder after repeated effort
- Example
- Example: repeated jumps in volleyball, or rowing and swimming training.
- How to use it
- Ankle and shoulder sleeve, to treat only the joint without cooling the whole body.
- How often
- After training or the match, in the heaviest overload phases.
5. Trouble sleeping after training
- Example
- Example: an athlete who trains in the evening and sleeps badly because of muscle soreness.
- How to use it
- One session in the evening after training. In the brand’s study, the group that used the system reported better sleep for 48 hours.
- How often
- On intense training days.
6. Rehabilitation with several patients
- Example
- Example: a physiotherapy clinic or a club medical department with several athletes recovering.
- How to use it
- One unit with different sleeves for each area; the water circuit allows up to two people to be treated at once.
- How often
- Set by the professional, depending on the injury and rehabilitation phase.
When to use it and when to talk to a professional first
- Use it after exercise, when the aim is to recover for the next session or match.
- In training phases where the main goal is adaptation (strength, hypertrophy), agree with the coach when to use it, because repeated cold after every session may blunt part of the adaptation.
- According to the manufacturer’s manual, compression should not be used, for example, with thrombosis or suspected thrombosis, heart failure, arterial or venous occlusive disease, poor peripheral circulation, Raynaud’s disease, cold hypersensitivity, osteoporosis, wounds or infection at the site, fractures, or limbs without pain sensation. If in doubt, talk to your physician or physiotherapist first.
- Always follow the equipment manual and stop the session if you feel discomfort, numbness or pain.
Discover the Aquilo solutions
See the control unit and the sleeves on the brand page.
CCT1500 cryo-compression unit
Cold, compression from 20 to 150 mmHg, internal battery and carry case in one unit.
View solution
Frequently asked questions
How long does a session last?
A typical session lasts about 30 minutes, and the time can be adjusted.
Can I use cold compression every day?
It depends on training load and goals. In heavy training phases, a few times a week is a common example; agree it with the professional who looks after you.
Is it suitable for any sport?
It can be used by runners, footballers, tennis players, gym-goers and others, choosing the sleeve that fits the area.
Who uses the Aquilo system?
The brand mentions use by professional athletes in several sports and by recreational athletes.
General information. The right frequency and protocol depend on each person and should be agreed with the physiotherapist, physician or coach.