Anil Kapoor, who is known for his dedication to fitness, recently took to Instagram to share a glimpse of his rigorous workout regime as he prepares for his next film Fighter, which will also star Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone in leading roles.
But it was no ordinary workout. In the picture, the actor was seen sweating it out on the treadmill while wearing an oxygen mask. In another post, he was seen outside a cryo chamber, probably after a cryotherapy session. As expected, the 66-year-old was praised by his friends and co-stars in the film industry for his commitment to fitness.
What is oxygen therapy?
In simple words, exercising with an oxygen mask is known as oxygen therapy, and it can be a great way to reduce the physical stress of exercise. Explaining further, Utsav Agrawal, Fitness Coach at FITTR told indianexpress.com, “Oxygen therapy during exercise is typically used for individuals with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that affect the lungs’ ability to absorb oxygen. Using an oxygen mask, in such cases, can help improve oxygen delivery to the body and reduce symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. It may also improve exercise capacity and endurance.”
He explained that during exercise, the body uses a lot more oxygen and requires fast replenishment. “In response, your heart rate and breathing rate increase to transport more oxygen to your muscles and surrounding tissues. And if you have low oxygen levels in your blood, this puts additional stress on your heart. Additionally, breathing pure oxygen while you exercise also saturates blood more effectively into the body’s tissues, blood vessels and organs. With increased circulation and saturation your body can heal from injuries faster,” he said.
For this, one can use a portable oxygen concentrator set up near their exercise equipment. Make sure your nasal cannula or mask has a long enough hose to allow you freedom of movement while you use the equipment. Be sure to wear light, comfortable clothing while exercising with oxygen therapy, and focus on breathing through your nose.
However, Agrawal noted that there are also potential risks associated with its use — such as oxygen toxicity, fire hazard, drying of nasal passages and mask discomfort.
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time. It is used for various purposes, including reducing inflammation, alleviating pain and improving athletic performance.
Also known as ice baths, cryotherapy is a technique where the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. According to a study mentioned in the National Library of Medicine, it has rejuvenating benefits, among:
-After an intense workout, the extreme cold can soothe sore and aching muscles.
-It is believed to aid sleep by lessening physical fatigue.
-It is believed to limit the inflammatory response due to the decreased temperature, and help in faster recovery.
However, Agrawal noted that cryotherapy is not suitable for everyone, and potential risks include skin and nerve damage, and complications for people with certain health conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
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