Men’s Fitness UK – October 2019

IN FOCUSACTIVE RECOVERY

Harrison,whowas called up for England’s victory

againsttheBarbariansat Twickenham in June, was sidelined

forjustthreegamesand was quickly back in Premiership

rugbyactionthanksto the Sale physios’ more progressive

approachtorehab.e original recovery timeframe was six

toeightweeks.

“e wholeprinciple of RICE, especially the rest, needs

togo,”saysBayerofthe protocol that was only ever designed

as a rst-aidforinjury rather than a rehab programme. “ e

recommendationmust be that you have early, careful and

guidedmobilisation.”

ELITE-LEVELREHAB

Bayerandhercolleagues have studied the most e ective

methodsofrecovery.Strengthening and mobilisation have

emergedas key,withoptimum loading – weight bearing of

somesort– usedonce any in ammation has subsided, and

thatusuallymeanswithin a couple of days of the injury

occurring.eirresearch also suggests that with muscle and

ligamentproblemsingeneral, too long a layo is bad for

yourbodyas wellas your  tness. Such  ndings are widely

acceptedat elitelevel,where the speed of full recovery can

makethedierencebetween performing to your potential

at a majoreventandmissing a career-de ning opportunity.

ScottJurekdemonstrated this with painful persistence

fouryearsagowhenrecording the 'Fastest Known Time'

(FKT)forcompleting the 2,189-mile Georgia-to-Maine

AppalachianTrail.e legendary American ultra runner, in

Hobble, limp,

hobble: legendary

ultra runner Scott

Jurek's unique

approach to

recovery

Pro rugby player

Ross Harrison

credits active

recovery with

a quicker-than-

planned return

from injury