Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Raul sleeping at altitude
Real Madrid captain Raul has been sleeping at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet in order to turn back the effects of ageing and fatigue on his tired limbs.
In the past sportsmen and women have put themselves in specially designed tents but Raul has gone a step further and has a specially designed room in his house.
The room has a revolutionary air-conditioning system which pumps out air containing lower than normal levels of oxygen and slighter higher than normal levels of nitrogen.
The result is an increase in red blood cells meaning oxygen reaches the muscles more quickly, delaying fatigue and speeding a player's recovery.
This season Raul has played more minutes and has been rotated less than any other outfield player at Madrid, apart from Sergio Ramos who is almost 10 years his junior.
In the past sportsmen and women have put themselves in specially designed tents but Raul has gone a step further and has a specially designed room in his house.
The room has a revolutionary air-conditioning system which pumps out air containing lower than normal levels of oxygen and slighter higher than normal levels of nitrogen.
The result is an increase in red blood cells meaning oxygen reaches the muscles more quickly, delaying fatigue and speeding a player's recovery.
This season Raul has played more minutes and has been rotated less than any other outfield player at Madrid, apart from Sergio Ramos who is almost 10 years his junior.
