In-Season Strategies for Athlete Health
Hello everyone, I am Ayami Sato, Assistant Athletic Trainer with Indiana Pacers. One of our most effective recovery strategies is the work of our two full‑time massage therapists. Because they work with our players daily, they know each athlete’s tissue quality well and can identify even small changes, keeping the rest of the sports medicine staff informed. This allows all of us to create individualized recovery plans for each player. For example, if a therapist notes increased quadriceps density in a player with patella tendinopathy, they address it with soft‑tissue work; the dietitian adjusts nutrition and supplements and check hydration status; the strength coach modifies loading; and the athletic trainer can evaluate and treat the injury and also the contributing factors. Their consistent hands‑on care and communication within the sports medicine staff play a key role in both effective recovery and injury prevention. All other recovery tools mentioned by everyone here such as recovery BFR, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cold/hot tub etc are all great tools as well!
