regeneration in cycling
Georgina Gerasimidis
Many cyclists and teams are among the "heavy Reboots users." A prime example is the Team Vorarlberg from Austria, which has been using Reboots for quite some time. Here, not only the athletes but also the physiotherapists are big fans of the Reboots.
In the interview with Nicolas Berton, Head Physio of Team Vorarlberg, he explains his work, the importance of regeneration in cycling, and the Reboots application.
Nicolas Berton in Interview
What does your day as a physio with the Vorarlberg cycling team look like?
Nicolas: “There is no classic area of responsibility, as is the case for most sports physiotherapists, in cycling either. The tasks include not only treating and preparing the regeneration tools but also preparing the food for the races and afterwards.”
What is the significance of rest and recovery for the Vorarlberg cycling team, and how do you promote it as a physio?
Nicolas: “Recovery is very important to us. The drivers are professionals and know many tools to speed up the recovery processes. In addition to active recovery through the cool-down on the bike, we use passive measures such as Reboots, the classic ice bath, massages, and osteopathic techniques."
Most drivers use technical gadgets that can monitor heart rate variability, providing a good tool to monitor the current recovery state. This helps them see if an additional rest day is necessary. Overtraining and illness can also be more easily detected this way."
What does the balance between active training and recovery look like in the week of a Radteam Vorarlberg rider?
Nicolas: “On a training day with a five-hour ride, which already includes the active cool-down, there is about an hour of regeneration through mobilizations and fascia stretches, as well as the use of Reboots or appointments with therapists.”
What added value do the Reboots offer the cyclists from Team Vorarlberg, as well as you as a physio?
Nicolas: “Reboots are a huge relief for me. This doubles the treatment time for each athlete. Before/after the physiotherapy treatment, they can go directly into the Reboots and thus we promote lactate removal.”
Especially in stage races, recovery can become a challenge. How do you use Reboots here?
Nicolas: "Especially in stage races, they are an important tool for us. As soon as we are back at the hotel and the guys are showered and fed, the first ones get into the Reboots. From then on, it's a flying change. Some go for physiotherapy treatment while others are in the Reboots. There, we mainly use the programs for lactate removal and blood circulation promotion."
Why do the Reboots Recovery Pants especially make sense for cyclists?
Nicolas: "The Pants make sense because, on one hand, muscles beyond the groin (gluteal muscles, hip flexors, etc.) are also engaged when cycling. On the other hand, the lactate removal system only has larger inflows in the abdominal area, where the removal works better."
Do cyclists in training exclusively ride bikes, or do they also train in other sports?
Nicolas: "In the summer, most people exclusively ride bikes. Of course, core training sessions with stabilization and mobilization training are also included here, but real endurance training for most only takes place on the bike."
In winter, many do strength training, and some also go for a run between cycling sessions. But mainly, they sit on the bike."
What do cyclists do in winter? Is winter the purest regeneration phase for them?
Nicolas: "The regeneration phase is usually after the last races. That's when the bike is actually put aside for a few weeks. In November, training is usually resumed and increased in volume and intensity until the first races in spring. Endurance training on cross-country skis is quite popular with us. However, multi-week training camps in the south are indispensable in modern cycling."
Do you have any other tips for cyclists besides the Reboots for a successful recovery?
Nicolas: "Besides all passive aids for regeneration, the most important thing is still active regeneration. Nothing beats the cool down. Sufficient sleep and proper nutrition also play a very big role."
Über Nicolas Berton
Nicolas Berton, Head Physio of Team Vorarlberg: “Recovery is the be-all and end-all for every professional athlete! The opportunity to use the Reboots Recovery System in combination with a classic massage gives us the extra boost in performance. With its various programs and recovery intensities, Reboots gives us the ability to find the right mode for each individual rider.”