How Kade Anderson and Jared Jones, two LSU baseball players, use the new football recovery center

As college athletics continue to evolve, the importance of recovery, injury prevention, and overall player wellness has grown exponentially. No longer is it enough for athletes to simply perform well on the field; they must also optimize their recovery and physical health to ensure long-term success and sustainability in their respective sports. For LSU, a school that prides itself on its elite athletic programs, ensuring that student-athletes are given the best resources to recover and perform is of the utmost importance. One of the standout additions to LSU’s athletic facilities in recent years has been the state-of-the-art football recovery center, which has quickly become a go-to resource not just for football players, but for student-athletes from all sports, including baseball.

Two LSU baseball players—Kade Anderson and Jared Jones—have been making use of the new football recovery center, taking full advantage of its top-of-the-line equipment and amenities to keep their bodies in peak condition. In this article, we’ll explore how Anderson and Jones, two rising stars in LSU’s baseball program, have incorporated the recovery center into their routines and how this facility is changing the game for student-athletes across all sports.

The Football Recovery Center: A Game-Changer for LSU Athletics

Before diving into how Kade Anderson and Jared Jones specifically benefit from the football recovery center, it’s important to understand why this facility is so revolutionary. The football recovery center, located on LSU’s Baton Rouge campus, is a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the needs of athletes recovering from the physical demands of their respective sports. The center offers a wide range of recovery tools, such as cryotherapy chambers, infrared saunas, compression therapy units, hydrotherapy pools, and much more.

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology to promote recovery, injury prevention, and muscle rehabilitation. With amenities like cryotherapy chambers, athletes can accelerate muscle recovery after intense workouts or games, while the hydrotherapy pools offer low-impact recovery options for athletes who need to relieve joint pain or stiffness. The infrared saunas help promote blood flow and relaxation, while compression therapy units are used to reduce swelling and improve circulation in athletes’ muscles.

For LSU’s football program, this center is a game-changer, offering players the tools they need to recover quickly and effectively. However, what makes the center particularly unique is that it isn’t just reserved for football players. Athletes from all sports, including baseball, basketball, track and field, and more, have access to the facility, which is one of the reasons why Kade Anderson and Jared Jones have become regular users of the space.

As LSU continues to strive for excellence across all athletic programs, ensuring that student-athletes like Anderson and Jones have access to world-class recovery resources is key to maintaining peak performance throughout the grueling college season.

Kade Anderson’s Routine: The Importance of Recovery for a Pitcher

Kade Anderson, a standout pitcher for the LSU baseball team, has had an impressive college career thus far, earning recognition for his explosive fastball and dynamic pitching repertoire. As a pitcher, Anderson’s body faces unique physical demands, especially given the repetitive motion of throwing and the stress that it places on his arm, shoulder, and elbow. For a pitcher like Anderson, maintaining the health and durability of his arm is paramount. This is where the new football recovery center comes into play.

“Recovery is just as important as training when it comes to pitching,” Anderson says. “The stress that throwing places on your arm is significant, so it’s critical to take care of your body, especially the muscles, joints, and tendons that are directly involved in throwing.”

One of the main recovery methods Anderson incorporates into his routine is the use of the cryotherapy chambers. Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time, which helps reduce inflammation, soothe muscle soreness, and accelerate recovery. After a hard outing or intense bullpen session, Anderson uses the cryotherapy chambers to target specific areas of his body that may be sore, particularly his shoulder and elbow.

“The cryotherapy chamber has been a game-changer for me,” Anderson explains. “After a long bullpen session or a start, my arm tends to feel tight and fatigued. The cryotherapy chamber helps reduce that soreness, and I can feel the difference the next day. It’s helped me recover faster and be ready to go for the next outing.”

Anderson also uses the compression therapy units available in the recovery center. These units use air pressure to apply compression to the muscles, which promotes better circulation and reduces swelling. Anderson incorporates compression therapy into his routine after particularly grueling days on the mound, using it to flush out lactic acid build-up and reduce any lingering swelling in his throwing arm.

“Compression therapy is great for helping with muscle recovery, especially in the arm and shoulder,” Anderson says. “It helps get the blood flowing, which is key for getting rid of toxins in the muscles. I try to use it after every outing or hard workout.”

Additionally, Anderson incorporates hydrotherapy into his recovery routine. The hydrotherapy pools offer both hot and cold options, which help with muscle relaxation and recovery. He often alternates between hot and cold water treatments to promote circulation and reduce muscle tightness. The buoyancy of the water also allows Anderson to move his muscles and joints in a low-impact environment, helping to alleviate any stiffness without putting additional strain on his body.

“Hydrotherapy has been a huge asset for me,” Anderson says. “It’s low-impact, so it’s easy on the joints, but it really helps with recovery. Whether I’m using the hot pool to relax or the cold pool to reduce inflammation, it’s a great way to keep my body in shape during the season.”

By combining cryotherapy, compression therapy, and hydrotherapy, Anderson has developed a comprehensive recovery routine that allows him to maintain the health of his arm and body throughout the long baseball season. The football recovery center has provided him with the resources he needs to optimize his recovery and ensure that he is at his best when he takes the mound.

Jared Jones’ Approach: Recovery for a Power Hitter

Jared Jones, an explosive power hitter for LSU, faces different physical demands than Anderson but still requires top-tier recovery methods to maintain his performance. As a hitter, Jones puts significant strain on his body during batting practice, games, and fielding drills. The repeated twisting motions involved in swinging the bat, combined with the physicality of fielding, can place stress on various parts of his body, particularly his lower back, hips, and shoulders. To perform at his best, Jones needs to ensure that his body remains in peak condition throughout the season.

For Jones, recovery begins with preventative measures. As a power hitter, Jones relies heavily on his legs and lower body, so taking care of his hips, knees, and ankles is crucial. The compression therapy units at the football recovery center are an important part of Jones’ routine. He uses these units after particularly intense workouts or games to reduce any swelling and promote circulation in his legs, ensuring that he is ready to hit the next day.

“Compression therapy is something I use regularly,” Jones says. “When you’re swinging a bat with that much power, your legs take a beating. Compression helps get the blood moving, which helps with recovery, especially in my lower body.”

In addition to compression therapy, Jones also utilizes the infrared saunas at the football recovery center. Infrared saunas are designed to increase blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation. Jones finds the sauna particularly helpful after a long day of practice or after a series of games, as it helps him recover mentally as well as physically.

“The infrared sauna is really helpful for loosening up my muscles,” Jones says. “It’s great for relieving any tension or stiffness, and it’s a good way to relax after a tough day. Sometimes, just sitting there and letting the heat work through your body is all you need.”

Like Anderson, Jones also incorporates hydrotherapy into his routine. The hydrotherapy pools, which allow him to work out in the water, provide a low-impact way to promote circulation and relieve any joint or muscle stiffness. Jones often uses the cold pool to alleviate any soreness in his legs after a long day, finding that it helps reduce swelling and muscle tightness.

“Hydrotherapy has been a huge help for me,” Jones adds. “After a game, especially if I’m feeling sore, the cold pool helps with inflammation, and the hot pool helps me relax. It’s a great way to take care of my legs and get ready for the next day.”

By utilizing the resources available at the football recovery center, Jones is able to keep his body in peak condition despite the physical demands of being a power hitter. The recovery methods he incorporates into his routine help him stay healthy, perform at his best, and avoid the wear-and-tear that can result from a long season.