Did you know that Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can help reduce pain? A scientific study confirmed that. It also indicated that VNS may help improve sports performance during halftimes. It is one of the latest techniques in the sports world.
It shows promise in boosting athletic performance through different benefits. Moreover, there are other benefits that also have scientific evidence to support them. But how does it actually help elite athletes perform better?
What is the Vagus Nerve?
The Vagus nerve is one of the longest nerves in your body. It starts from the brainstem and ends in the abdomen (near the root of your lungs). It plays an important role in the autonomic nervous system. It controls involuntary functions like:
- Heart rate
- Digestion
- Respiratory rate
- Reflex action (coughing and swallowing)
- Digestion
When you stimulate it, it can enhance various bodily functions too. For athletes, this stimulation can mean improved recovery. In fact, it can also lead to emotional regulation and performance boosts. A recent scientific study confirms that.
How Vagus Nerve Stimulation Works?
The VNS process is simple. Most individuals use devices that send electrical impulses to the nerve. For example, some athletes might use Vagus nerve stimulators which can be used either externally or implanted.
This stimulation sends electrical signals to the Vagus nerve. This results in your nerve sending electrical signals to the brain. And, that leads to better communication between the brain and your body.
Generally, scientific evidence shows that VNS can help balance the nervous system. It can potentially reduce stress and inflammation. Meanwhile, it can also promote relaxation and recovery.
What Are the Key Benefits of VNS for Athletes?
For an athlete, staying in top shape is very important. And, if you’re an athlete yourself, you know what we mean when we say that “recovery” is a vital part of the process. Without proper nutrition, rest, and sleep, an athlete cannot recover as efficiently.
This can impact their overall performance. In fact, a scientific study confirms that inadequate sleep can lead to issues like:
- Overtraining
- Poor performance
- Lower energy levels
- Fatigue
- Weak immune systems
However, VNS has potential health benefits that can help with those issues. More importantly, it can help improve sleep quality and patterns, leading to better recovery and other positive health effects.
Improved Recovery
When you go through intense workouts, your muscles need time to heal. The muscle fiber breakdown leads to improved contractile properties and strength. However, recovery is important to lead to those results. VNS can help reduce inflammation in the body to speed up the recovery process. Research shows that athletes who use VNS may experience lower muscle soreness. In addition, it can lead to quicker recovery times.
Increased Focus and Mental Clarity
VNS can also help with increasing focus and mental clarity. As we know, stress can cloud our judgment sometimes. For athletes, it is a win-or-loss situation. But with VNS, athletes can manage stress levels more easily. A study confirms that VNS might improve the decision-making skills of athletes.
Better Heart Rate Variability
What is heart rate variability (HRV)? It refers to your heart’s ability to adapt to stress. A higher HRV means better recovery and overall health – and vice versa. Studies show that VNS can impact HRV. Consequently, this can enhance an athlete’s ability to recover from intense training sessions and competition.
Increased Endurance
For athletes like marathon runners, cyclists, and others, endurance is vital. It helps them sustain energy for long periods. That means, they can perform under stressful conditions for longer, without feeling fatigue easily. Through VNS, athletes can also improve their endurance by enhancing recovery and oxygen delivery to muscles.
Enhanced Sleep Quality
The most vital part of any athlete’s routine is relaxing sleep. It is extremely crucial for recovery and performance boosts. When athletes don’t get proper sleep or suffer through inadequate sleep routines, their performance drops. However, VNS can prevent that. Through Vagus nerve stimulation, your body can experience improved sleep quality and rest sessions. As a result, studies might also help with insomnia.
Reduced Anxiety and Stress
For an elite athlete, promoting mental health is just as important as their physical health. They need focus, concentration, mental clarity, and resilience to perform well, both on- and off-competition. Studies indicate that VNS can help reduce stress and anxiety. With lower levels of anxiety, athletes can perform better under pressure and improve training outcomes.
Conclusion
So, Vagus nerve stimulation is a promising technique to improve recovery and performance. It can help elite athletes improve their recovery routines by getting restful, deeper sleep. Moreover, it can also help them improve their mood and increase concentration to train more effectively.
Furthermore, athletes can benefit from reduced inflammation which speeds up the muscle recovery process. In turn, they are able to get back into rigorous practice and competitions with optimal performance levels.
If you’re an athlete, you might consider consulting your healthcare provider. They will tell you about your suitability for Vagus nerve stimulators or other related solutions.
