Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The AFL Recovery Arms Race: What Actually Works Between Games

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

By Dr. Zeeshan Siddiqui, Founder · 4 min read

alert-tri

This article is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and other modalities discussed are not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation guidance from a qualified medical practitioner, physiotherapist, or strength and conditioning professional.

AFL schedules can leave limited time between matches. Recovery plans need to account for training load, rest and clinical assessment of injuries. Individual return-to-play stories do not show that a particular wellness modality caused faster recovery or imply an endorsement of Cryo SubZero.

Cold water immersion: potential benefits and limitations

Some recovery interventions may improve perceived soreness; effects on performance and injury outcomes remain uncertain. Research on cold water immersion should not automatically be applied to dry-air whole-body cryotherapy. Repeated cold-water immersion immediately after strength training may also affect training adaptations, so timing should be discussed with your training team.

Some recovery interventions may improve perceived soreness; effects on performance and injury outcomes remain uncertain.

Cryotherapy session

Why hyperbaric oxygen is showing up everywhere

HBOT has specific medical uses, but research into routine football recovery and sporting injuries is limited. Findings from small studies or medical chamber protocols do not establish faster healing or an earlier return to play from Cryo SubZero sessions. Athlete adoption alone is not evidence of effectiveness or an endorsement of this facility.

Where Cryo SubZero fits into this picture

Cryo SubZero offers whole-body cryotherapy and a dual-occupancy hyperbaric oxygen chamber, alongside red light therapy, infrared sauna, halotherapy and lymphatic drainage. A support person can accompany a client in the hyperbaric chamber where appropriate. Some recovery interventions may improve perceived soreness; effects on performance and injury outcomes remain uncertain. Combining sessions has not been shown here to multiply benefits. Our team can explain the experience and suitability screening.

The honest bottom line

Some recovery interventions may improve perceived soreness; effects on performance and injury outcomes remain uncertain. Prioritise sleep, nutrition, hydration and an appropriate training plan. Injury rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions belong with qualified treating professionals.

References

  1. Sable et al. The Role of Cryotherapy and Compression Therapy in Improving Football Players Recovery: A Systematic Review. German Journal of Sports Medicine, 2026. doi.org/10.5960/dzsm.2025.652
  2. Roberts LA, et al. Post-exercise cold water immersion attenuates acute anabolic signalling and long-term adaptations in muscle to strength training. The Journal of Physiology, 2015. doi.org/10.1113/JP270570
  3. Cold Water Immersion and Ice Baths: A Review of the Studies and Scientific Evidence (meta-analysis). 2026. Source link
  4. Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on recovery after a football match in young players: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. PMC, National Library of Medicine. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11534614