Hull FC have invested in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in a bid to help aid injury recovery. The Black and Whites have a number of longer-term injuries at present, most notably John Asiata and Will Pryce.
The duo have both suffered hamstring injuries in back-to-back games, with Asiata tearing the muscle at Leigh Leopards and Pryce against Catalans Dragons last time out. Both players are expected to be out for around 8-10 weeks, but the installation of the chamber is hoped to quicken up that recovery process – with all players instructed to make the usage of the chamber part of their daily routine.
Head coach John Cartwright has also confirmed that both Asiata and Pryce will be scanned again after six weeks of rehab, with the piece of kit ensuring the club leaves no stone unturned in their bid to get the players back – perhaps even ahead of schedule.
Elsewhere, the club are also monitoring another hamstring injury to Jed Cartwright, who had a ‘hiccup’ last week in his bid to return. But on a lighter note, the likes of Liam Watts are hoped to make a return from a complicated calf injury away at Salford Red Devils next Sunday. Ligi Sao has a long-term knee injury, having suffered the blow against Wigan in round two, while young back Roman Dawson is nursing a second ruptured ACL.
Posting on social media, Hull confirmed the installation of the new piece of kit at their training ground. They wrote: “We’ve teamed up with recovery equipment specialists Optimal Health, who have installed a state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chamber on site at the University of Hull’s Rugby League Hub, supporting rapid injury recovery for our players.”
The hyperbaric oxygen chamber has a number of benefits, and it is designed to ensure faster recovery from injury. According to Optimal Health. It ‘speeds up healing and repair by delivering oxygen deep into damaged tissues.’
Furthermore, it supports long-term wellness, boosts immunity, supports vascular health, and maintains peak performance while improving mental clarity by increasing oxygen flow to the brain and promoting better focus and cognitive function.
Meanwhile, Hull host Castleford this Friday night – their first game at the MKM Stadium in over 50 days. They currently sit in fifth position on the Super League table.