How fighters can enhance their training regimens

Combat sports athletes – boxers, bare knuckle fighters, and MMA athletes – are increasingly incorporating natural solutions into their training and recovery regimens. While inflammation resulting from a high-intensity workout and the micro-tears it creates is crucial to building stronger muscles, too much of a good thing can make subsequent workouts painful and ineffective. Reducing recovery time means less time needed between training sessions and bouts.

A plant-based, anti-inflammatory diet loaded with leafy greens, rich in probiotics, and accompanied by lots of water can speed the recovery process, as will cutting out added sugar. Outdoor workouts that allow your body to naturally absorb vitamin D can also decrease inflammation.

Whether they’re looking for overall performance support, pain relief, or seeking to reduce inflammation, today’s combat sports athletes are using natural substances, whether for rest or recovery from multiple injuries such as those MMA fighter Kaytlin Neil has sustained, including a torn ACL and two knee surgeries.

Herbal supplements and teas including turmeric, ginger, and arnica are now often used to reduce inflammation and decrease muscle pain. While turmeric and ginger are usually consumed as supplements or teas, arnica in the form of a topical cream or gel reduces bruising and soreness that can result from sparring or intense training sessions.

Both hot and cold water therapy can reduce inflammation, decrease muscle soreness, and speed recovery. Cold therapy takes the form of ice baths. Hot baths with magnesium-rich epsom salts may help regulate muscle and nerve function if the magnesium is absorbed transdermally.

Some athletes take adaptogenic herb supplements such as ashwagandha, rhodiolo rosea, or holy basil to manage and reduce stress, increase mental clarity, promote recovery, and enhance endurance. While these herbs have been used for centuries in various cultures, evidence of their efficacy is highly anecdotal.

Increasingly, combat sports athletes are using CBD for R&R – relief and recovery. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce joint pain and muscle soreness after competition or even an intense training session.

Since stress increases inflammation, deep breathing and meditation can help to oxygenate and regulate your cortisol levels, while CBD’s calming effects can help combat athletes manage stress and anxiety. CBD can also promote better sleep, which is crucial for both mental and physical recovery. Good sleep and nutrition are both essential for recovery and repair. While it’s natural to be keyed up before a bout, even short-term insomnia can lead to decreased performance and alertness as well as slower reaction times.

While CBD is legal in most places, it’s important for athletes to verify whether it’s allowed in competition, and should always check with their doctor to ensure there are no potential interactions with any other medications they may be taking. Determining your individual response is also important. Experimenting with different forms and dosages of top quality CBD such as Fusion CBD Products’ capsules, tinctures, and topicals is key to realizing its benefits.