December 2020

Normatec recovery therapy is suitable for athletes of all levels.

Sporting clubs, associations, and teams such as Australia Triathlon, AFL teams, USA Triathlon, Ironman US, USA Track and Field, British Gymnastics, Belgian Cycling, American Cycling, USA Hockey, Ireland Hockey, and the Boston Ballet are just some of the crew ahead of the curve using Normatec recovery.

We have been so impressed with Normatec recovery we’ve made it accessible to athletes of all levels through our exclusive hire service. We also sell the Normatec recovery systems to those who like to take their training and recovery a bit more seriously.

WHAT IS NORMATEC?

Normatec is an evidence-based recovery system with proven results and research supporting its claimed benefits.

Normatec is a form of active compression therapy (peristaltic pulse dynamic compression) with a sophisticated massage pattern that studies show results in reduced muscle soreness and fatigue, enhanced blood flow to the treated areas, decreased inflammation, improved clearance of waste products, and increased range of motion. Studies also show the peristaltic compression process may deliver positive adaptive responses to exercise and improve artery endothelial function systemically making it also useful for individuals who have circulation and lymphatic drainage issues.

Key benefits of Normatec recovery

1. REDUCES PAIN: Journal of Strength and Conditioning 2015 – dynamic compression may accelerate and enhance recovery by reducing muscle tenderness from pressure stimuli.

2. INCREASES RANGE OF MOTION: Journal of Strength and Conditioning 2014 -Peristaltic pulse dynamic compression rapidly enhances acute range-of-motion with less discomfort and time and has been shown to be more

3. REDUCES DOMS (DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS), PAIN, and SWELLING: Journal of Athletic Training 2016 – a 30-minute treatment of pulse compression increases blood flow in the lower extremity, making Pulse compression a viable option in the management of exercise-induced muscle damage (DOMS). In general, DOMS-related swelling, range of movement limitations, and pain ratings were lower and returned to baseline faster while using NormaTec when compared to continuously-worn compression sleeve options International Journal of Exercise Science 2018.

4.DECREASES MUSCLE FATIGUE AFTER ACUTE EXERCISE: PLOS One Medical Journal 2017. External pneumatic compression increases flexibility and reduces select skeletal muscle oxidative stress and proteolysis markers during recovery from heavy resistance exercise.

5. PASSIVELY CLEARS WASTE AND METABOLITES FROM BODY: Journal of Athletic Enhancement 2013 This form of compression significantly lowers blood lactate concentrations when compared to a passive recovery group.

6. IMPROVES ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION: European Journal of Applied Physiology 2015. A single bout of peristaltic pulse compression improves artery endothelial function systemically and improves blood flow in the compressed limbs.

7. IMPROVES EXERCISE ADAPTATION AND GENE EXPRESSION: Journal of Experimental Physiology 2015. A 60-minute bout of whole-leg, peristaltic pulse compression transiently upregulates PGC-1α mRNA, while also upregulating eNOS protein and NOx concentrations in biopsy samples.

Clinical Physiology & Functional Imaging 2016. Peristaltic pulse compression may upregulate rps6 and downregulate Stat1, which may facilitate positive adaptive responses to exercise.

8. ENHANCE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM FUNCTION: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Muscle stiffness, tenderness, strength loss, and edema have been linked to exercise-induced muscle microtrauma. Enhancement of lymphatic flow and clearance of waste may accelerate recovery.

“A goal of dynamic compression is to reduce lymphatic obstruction and thereby enhance the removal of the protein- and debris-rich fluid that accumulates in the interstitial spaces after exercise-induced inflammation”. Maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet can also speed up your recovery time. Ginger is one natural remedy that may help reduce inflammation. Read our blog on how easy it is to use ginger here

Normatec features

Individualised programs for rehab, recovery, and injury treatment to suit your needs.
Normatec can be set to focus on key problem areas of the body such as the quads or calves through a “zone boost” allowing extra attention where needed. There is also an option to deactivate zones of the body.
Setting can be set to varied pressures to suit you and your comfort
Portable in a durable case, battery powdered for remote use, and lightweight
Versatile- single control unit is compatible with leg, arm, and hip attachments. The calibration phase ensures a personalised fit for all body types.
Super easy to use- set up takes less than a minute, giving you more time to relax
Made from highly durable material
The Normatec app allows you to integrate Normatec use seamlessly with your training plan

HOW TO USE NORMATEC

Typically 20-30 minutes once a day is sufficient for most athletes. Athletes in heavy training may consider use after each training session.

Normatec boots and hip attachments are popular with athletes preparing for and recovering post events. Committed athletes are using the system as an ongoing recovery tool on a daily basis.

Normatec Hire- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Normatec Pulse 2.0 (covers feet and legs) are now available for hire through the Athlete Sanctuary.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE:

*Normatec pants 3.0 includes compression for the legs, ankles, and feet

*Normatec lower leg (includes attachments for the feet, ankles, legs, and hips)

*Normatec Full Body Recovery System – includes attachments for the legs, ankles, arms, and hips for the ultimate recovery experience

*Normatec Arms – great for swimmers, rowers, adventure racers and canoeists

*Normatec Hips- a great addition to the lower leg attachment

We recommend purchasing a Normatec carry case or backpack to keep your Normatec protected, and secure during transport and at home.

Visit our shop to view the Normatec recovery systems we stock.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common issues athletes face. Iron and thyroid health go hand in hand and the effects of exercise on the thyroid gland and hormones are not well understood.

Iron and thyroid function
Undiagnosed iron deficiency presents an increased risk of impaired thyroid function. Active women have high-energy lives, managing work, family and training, and many will accept low energy and brain fog as simply a result of being overworked or as an inevitable part of hormonal changes.

However, low thyroid function, iron deficiency, overtraining and hormonal changes also present with many of the same symptoms.

Signs that your thyroid function may be underactive (hypothyroid) include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, headaches, low blood pressure, dry skin, constipation and cold intolerance. These early signs of cellular hypothyroidism can appear when blood pathology remains within standard ranges.

As with most chronic issues, there are multiple factors that may contribute to dysfunction.

The Link between Exercise and Thyroid Function

In athletes, endurance and high-volume training promotes thyroid function. During exercise, your hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn signals your thyroid to synthesise and release the thyroid storage hormone T4 and active thyroid hormone T3.

These hormones influence your body’s metabolism and allow it to increase exercise intensity. Over time, this repeated, high demand of your thyroid during prolonged intense exercise may impact your thyroid function, causing it to slow down and consequently lose the ability to produce sufficient hormones.

Iron and Thyroid Function

Normal thyroid function is dependent on several nutrients to regulate the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine, iron, tyrosine, selenium, and zinc are needed to facilitate the conversion of T4 to T3 . A deficiency of any one of these nutrients would result in reduced T3 production, causing you to experience hypothyroid symptoms. Vitamins A and D also play important roles in cell receptor behaviour to regulate thyroid hormone metabolism.

While iodine is the key mineral for healthy thyroid function (read more…here) it is not uncommon to find iron deficiency in hypothyroidism. Although widely recognised for its influence on red blood cell production, iron is also an important component of thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme essential for thyroid hormone biosynthesis.

Iron deficiency interferes with the normal functioning of the thyroid, contributing significantly to fatigue, exercise intolerance and lightheadedness.

Increased menstrual bleeding can lead to iron deficiency. Many of us dismiss low energy as a symptom of a busy, active lifestyle and so iron deficiency frequently goes undiagnosed in perimenopausal women. For athletes, iron plays a critical role in exercise performance as outlined in our blog “Increase your iron absorption and rebound from anaemia” here

The most common causes of iron deficiency include inadequate dietary iron intake, inflammation, poor iron absorption in the gut, parasites, iron loss through sweat, urination and faeces, blood loss through menstruation. Pregnancy, breastfeeding or high-volume exercise will also significantly increase iron demands. Take our free anaemia quiz to see if you may be iron deficient here

Thyroid Function and Sex Hormones in Women

Your thyroid function is sensitive to fluctuations in sex hormone levels, particularly oestrogen. Oestrogen stimulates the production of the thyroid hormone precursor, thyroglobulin, and increases the protein that carries thyroid hormones in your blood.

As oestrogen changes (such as during peri-menopause) so too does thyroid hormones, which play an important role in metabolism, muscle strength, energy production and expenditure, heart function, and temperature regulation.

As oestrogen levels rise and fall later in life, menstruation may become irregular and heavier. Peri-menopausal women may experience symptoms for over ten years as described in our blog on “Natural solutions for menopause” here .

During peri-menopause declining oestrogen may impact thyroid function and can lead to inadequate production and circulation of thyroid hormones.

Exercise During Hormonal Changes

Despite common misconceptions, women can train and perform well throughout peri-menopause, and beyond, if they listen to their bodies and be mindful of maintaining adequate dietary intake of key nutrients. It is important to recognise that both iron deficiency, thyroid function and hormonal changes can impact your ability to exercise.

Years of consistent exercise accumulate like pages in a book. As a mature you know your body very well. The pathway to success utilises your book of wisdom and skills. Mature athletes can benefit from greater recovery, individualized strength and conditioning and modified programs. Focussing on the balance between training intensity and volume will help you to achieve your desired goals.

If you suspect your symptoms are impacting on your quality of life and sport, it’s time to seek support to help you navigate the journey.

Blood serum pathology and functional tissue mineral testing can be a good starting point due to the critical role nutrients play in hormonal and thyroid function.

With the right self-care and a holistic approach to health, you can continue to achieve your life goals and physical challenges irrespective of hormonal changes.

About the Author: Kate Smyth is a Sports naturopath, nutritionist and female-centric running coach. She is the founder of the Athlete Sanctuary- a holistic healthcare clinic for athletes of all levels and sporting codes. Kate has a thirst for knowledge with two bachelor’s and a master’s degree under her belt. She has been involved in sports for many decades and competed for Australia in the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games marathons with a personal best time of 2 hours 28 minutes. For more information visit www.https://https://athletesanctuary.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/normatec-3-lower-body-system-thumb_720x-1.webp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Seed-Cycle-Blends-scaled-1.jpg.com.au

References

Kawicka, A., & Regulska-Ilow, B. (2015). Metabolic disorders and nutritional status in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej, 69, 80–90.
Luksch, J. R., & Collins, P. B. (2018). Thyroid Disorders in Athletes. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 17(2), 59–64.
Santin, A. P., & Furlanetto, T. W. (2011). Role of estrogen in thyroid function and growth regulation. Journal of Thyroid Research, 2011.
Soliman, A. T., De Sanctis, V., Yassin, M., Wagdy, M., & Soliman, N. (2017). Chronic anemia and thyroid function. Acta Biomedica, 88(1), 119–127.
Wouthuyzen-Bakker, M., & Van Assen, S. (2015). Exercise-induced anaemia: A forgotten cause of iron deficiency anaemia in young adults. British Journal of General Practice, 65(634), 268–269.

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