Hansi Flick introduces radical recovery method at Barcelona – report | OneFootball

Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick, is making waves with a series of innovative changes at the club. Among the most intriguing of these is the introduction of hypoxia training, a method designed to boost player performance and recovery.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Flick is no stranger to this technique; he previously utilised it during his successful stint at Bayern Munich, where it played a key role in maintaining the squad’s physical peak.

Hypoxia is rapidly gaining popularity in elite sports, recognised for its ability to enhance muscle recovery and improve blood circulation—critical factors for any athlete striving to perform at the highest level.

Interestingly, this isn’t a technique exclusive to Barcelona. Their fierce rivals, Real Madrid, have also incorporated hypoxia into their recovery routines, highlighting its growing acceptance in top-tier football.

What is a hypoxia mask?

In simple terms, hypoxia involves subjecting the body to lower levels of oxygen than it would normally receive. This might sound counterproductive, but it’s quite the opposite.

The human body, when exposed to reduced oxygen levels, undergoes a series of adaptations that ultimately enhance its ability to perform.

Lamine Yamal was seen wearing the hypoxia mask.

By limiting oxygen intake, the body is forced to produce more red blood cells and haemoglobin, which are crucial for transporting oxygen throughout the body.

These adaptations are particularly beneficial during physical exertion, leading to quicker recovery times and better performance on the pitch.

These conditions compel the body to work harder, resulting in improved endurance and stamina when returning to normal oxygen levels.

Hypoxia masks simulate this effect, allowing players to reap the benefits of altitude training without leaving their usual training environment.

Barcelona has embraced this technology wholeheartedly. The club’s players now undergo regular hypoxia sessions as part of their recovery process, ensuring they remain in peak condition throughout the long and demanding season.

One recent example of this was shared by young talent Lamine Yamal on his Instagram story. Yamal, along with teammate Pau Cubarsi, was seen using hypoxia masks while cycling during a recovery session after starting in a match against Valencia.

This light-hearted moment on social media underscored how integral hypoxia training has become at Barcelona.