A common sports therapy used by athletics is the regimen of ice bathing. Ice bathing is used in a variety of sports.
Soccer, football, volleyball, and basketball are all examples that require ice bathing after practice and games. Ice bathing has numerous benefits.
Ice bathing after practice and games prevents injury, repairs muscles, and reduces inflammation.
Ice bathing at the high school has always been prevalent. However, as of now, all of the ice machines are broken.
In regards to the broken ice machines, Athletic Director, Mrs. Scheuneman said, “We are waiting on parts to fix the one [ice machine] in the training room and I have already ordered a new ice machine to replace the old one in the laundry room.”
The new ice machine in the laundry room was supposed to be delivered and installed on Monday, October 1st.
Mrs. Scheuneman said, “We have had plenty of ice for immediate injuries during this down period and any preventative maintenance icings can be done by athletes on their own at home.”
However, students think this is an inconvenience.
Senior football player, Zac Enick said, “I mean it’s an inconvenience for a lot of people, because we practice over four hours per day. It’s really hard to alleviate that dull muscle pain without dependable access to an ice bath.”
The inconvenience is the main problem. Students can’t conveniently set up a makeshift ice bath in their homes.
One ice machine can usually be found inside the training room. However, since it’s broken, trainer Bob Smith has to work harder.
Bob retrieves ice from the cafeteria every day. This means ice baths are constrained due to the limited supply of ice in the athletic wing.
Not having access to ice baths make athletes more susceptible to injuries. Already injured players aren’t able to relieve that inflammation and pain that is often coupled with injuries.
Senior soccer and basketball player, Laura Page said, “I’m already injured, so yes, it bothers me. I have to use a wimpy instance ice pack. It doesn’t get cold enough and it doesn’t last as long as ice baths do.”
Mike Stugan, a senior football player, shares a different perspective. He’s optimistic.
Mike said, “In the end, you just have to work through the pain when the game is on the line.”
All in all, coaches, faculty, and athletes are doing everything in their power to set up preventative actions against injuries.
