What Is Sensory Deprivation And Why Are More Athletes Using It?

Float tanks, aka sensory deprivation, or isolation tanks provide a lightless, soundproof tank filled with Epsom salt at skin temperature, in which individuals float. Invented in the mid 1950’s by neuroscientist Dr. John Lilly in the USA, float tanks are now used worldwide for a number of regenerative reasons. While originally developed for mental health, float tanks have now been adopted by many professional athletes and organizations in order to help accelerate the recovery process.

Based on the Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (REST), floatation therapy triggers a deep relaxation response that is much deeper than normal sleep which enables the individual to reach the elusive Theta state, which is normally hard to achieve. With the elimination of external stimuli, the central nervous system’s workload is reduced by as much as 90%. During this reduction in stimuli, the body naturally regenerates itself and healing is promoted through the parasympathetic response, which also increases T-cell production and may strengthen the immune system. All of this on top of removing gravity, which allows the muscles and joints to completely release tension –  athletes can largely benefit from this type of therapy.

Floating, once considered a hippie wellness regimen, has now become mainstream practice like massage, acupuncture, and meditation. Active users include multiple teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA, Military, MMA and Olympic athletes to name a few. While mostly considered for physical purposes by many, some individuals float to improve sport visualization during recovery (Carl Lewis used floating extensively leading up to Seoul Olympics).

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It was only a couple years ago that it was hard to come by a float tank, but today there are hundreds across the US alone, and thousands worldwide. Tanks run from about 2-30k depending on the specs (or $50-$100 per float), but many professional organizations, including the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), believe the cost is well outweighed by the countless benefits of physical and mental regeneration. With the demand of athletes today, many are looking at the most efficient ways to recover, which is why floating has boomed in popularity in recent years.

Takeaway:

1. Floating helps individuals reach a deep state of relaxation promoting many beneficial responses in the body.
2. Popularity among athletes has risen in the last several years.
3. Like other methods such as acupuncture, floating is becoming more popular for recovery.