Why Top Athletes Swear by Hot Tubs for Injury Recovery

Being an athlete looks glamorous, sure: you see the money, the lifestyle, the literal and figurative “slam dunks” and “touchdowns” ... but what you don’t see is the physical toll it takes.  

Research shows that approximately 90% of athletes have experienced at least one injury during their lifetime, with about 21% of them having just one injury and 24% having two. Many athletes have been shown to face multiple injuries, with approximately 10% reporting four injuries, and more than 10% suffering from 10 or more injuries during their career tenure.  

Getting hurt isn’t fun for anyone, but imagine your job relies on your body to work. That’s why top athletes swear by hot tubs for injury recovery – because not only is it proven to help, but it’s also just plain relaxing. 

TubTabs is here to break down the specs for you and give you all the deets (that means details!) Let’s begin: 

Exploring the Stats: Breaking Down the Sport vs. the Injury 

We’ve looked through a lot of stats, and while there aren’t necessarily a ton of very specific Canadian reports that cover a myriad of sports, there are some compelling findings elsewhere.  

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), while there was a record low reported to the institution in 2020, sports injuries were recorded to have increased by 20% in 2021, 12% in 2020, and 2% in 2023. The NSC operates internationally and provides training and resources in over 100 countries, including Canada. 

For many athletes, experiencing an injury can be both a serious hindrance and even a career-ending event, meaning proper treatment is paramount to ensuring their longevity. In fact, according to a study titled “In That Instant It Was Over: The Athlete's Experience of a Career-Ending Injury,” written by Lauren Aline Loberg of the University of Tennessee. 

A career-ending injury is a tragic event that causes the "involuntary termination of an athlete's participation in his or her chosen sport." The results extended into the current research, showing that sport injury alongside career transition suggested that a career-ending injury is one of the most "difficult transition experiences an athlete can face." 

OK, but where do hot tubs come in? We’re glad you asked. 

Hot Tubs for Injury Recovery: A Method Athletes Swear By 

We don’t think we have to explain to you why hot tubs are relaxing… but we will. The temperature is perfect for letting loose; the jets work out the soreness in your body; the drifting steam allows you to look into the sky aimlessly; and knowing your tub is clean and cared for reduces your stress.  

That’s why TubTabs provides simple, easy hot tub care in the form of a single-dose shock and maintenance treatment. TubTabs dissolve fast to prevent and remove scum, scale, and biofilm – meaning both athletes and regular folks can enjoy their tub with zero concerns. 

Having said that, what are the literal benefits that hot tubs provide for top athletes? We’re dying to know.  

Improved Muscle Relaxation and Reduced Soreness 

Hot tubs have been proven to relieve some types of pain after soaking, by relaxing tense muscles and joints, as well as tendons. This also applies if you struggle with arthritis, as the heat and massaging motion of a hot tub can help to ease stiffness and inflammation, causing pain.  

Hot tubs combine several pain-relieving applications: this includes the weightlessness experienced by being submerged in water, warming, and easing the aches and pains of the body and joints, and actively massaging tender and sore areas.  

Not only this, but a big enough hot tub also provides an opportunity for safe physical activity, as water reduces the pressure required of joints during exercise.  

Mental Decompression: The Importance of Quieting the Mind 

Top athletes need physical care and relaxation, yes. But being in the spotlight comes with a serious mental toll, too. Imagine having your performance not only being judged by a coach and your comrades, but possibly dozens, hundreds, thousands, or millions of people. That is A LOT of pressure for a single person! 

According to the University of Toronto, about 31.7% of athletes reported experiencing symptoms of depression, while 18.8% showed signs of anxiety, 12.9% moderate, and 5.9% severe symptoms. Additionally, 8.6% of respondents were identified as being at high risk for an eating disorder. 

Plain and simple: hot tubs can be a crucial part of self-care, which is directly linked with improved mental health outcomes. When working in high-demand jobs, having the opportunity to decompress and relax is absolutely vital when it comes to maintaining alertness, happiness, and general feelings of overall well-being. Trying to run a sore athlete through a field or court with no mental reprieve is like asking a pilot to fly a plane with zero rest and no caffeine. It’s a recipe for DISASTER. 

Ask yourself this: Would you ask your seriously stressed-out friend to manage complex tasks on your behalf with zero rest? Probably not. You’d likely encourage them to take the necessary rest required to get back into the game at their fullest, instead of asking them to operate at half-tank.  

Sitting and resting in a hot tub provides several mental health benefits, such as:  

Check some chores off your list by choosing TubTabs: your cost-effective, one-step hot tub solution.