Hi there,
In terms of ice baths, was at a course a few weeks ago with a UK physio Glen Hunter and he advocates using normal tap water instead of ice as the long lasting effects of ice baths to not show long term benefits.
He reckons all the GB athletes in Bejing used baths with room temperature water in them while everyone else was using ice baths.
In terms of recovery protocols, for me its essential the players regain their mobility as soon as posisble. And this is what recovery is, recovery to pre match state isnt it?
For me i hammer hip, ankle and thoracic mobility through various exercises. I like using hurdles for over and under kinds of things and also alot of thoracic rotation work which will help restore proper shoulder joint mechanics.
I do alot of lunges with twists into single leg leg swings or karate style kicks to open up the joints in a controlled manner.
Dave O’Sullivan,
Leeds Rhinos RLFC.