Warming up was yesterday – cool down is in now

In the cold chamber, the rugby players from USON NEVERS in France are increasing their performance – and that being entirely legal

Holding out three minutes half naked at minus 140 degrees Celsius – and then uproot trees? The professional rugby players of USON NEVERS say yes to this question with no ifs or buts. "Due to the improved blood circulation of muscles, we increase our performance by up to ten percent" said Max Curie, one of the 40 sportsmen that are under contract at the French second league club. The players take a session in the cryo chamber three to four times a week which, along with the nitrogen vessel, has been installed by the  French refrigeration specialists Criotec –using valves from HEROSE.  

Visit to Nevers, 250 km to the south of Paris on the Loire. It is Wednesday, three days before the next league game. After the morning training, the players relax and take a massage. Max Curie and his companion Rudy Dérieux stand in front of the cryo chamber. The condensation mist bellows inside it. Through the first door. Pre-cool at minus 70 degrees for one minute. Then move to the next one, three minutes at minus 140 degrees Celsius. The team doctor Sophie Goguillot checks the procedure and monitors the times. At the end, Max and Rudy leave the chamber steaming. Having a laugh and with white goosebumps. "I am really cold now", said Max Curie, "but my blood is circulating really well after 15 minutes." 

In the cryo chamber, the temperature of skin drops from the initial 33 degrees to about 15 degrees. This constricts the peripheral vessels and the blood circulating there relocates to the centre of the body. This results in that the heart pumps more blood into the body per heartbeat. Blood is circulated through the muscles much stronger and the athletes can call up more power.

Picture:

The current team of USON NEVERS RUGBY

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