Train Smarter, Recover Faster: The Teen Athlete’s Edge at WOW
Fall sports are here!
Wasatch’s young athletes train hard in the off-season, conditioning their growing bodies to perform at their best on game day. But with intense training comes the risk of injury, especially from overuse, improper technique, inadequate warm-ups or cool-downs, and the unique physical demands of each sport.
Young athletes are particularly vulnerable to injuries around growth plates as their bodies are still developing. While rest, ice, and elevation remain important, athletes at Wasatch have access to advanced tools for both peak performance and recovery. Bryant Salmon PA-C, one of the qualified practitioners at Wasatch Optimal Wellness (WOW), has 10 years of orthopedic experience (5 of those being in sports medicine), as well as 5 years in urgent care where he also did management of acute orthopedic injuries and concussions. Enhanced treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), heat/cold contrast therapy, IV infusions, and VO₂ max testing alongside insight from highly qualified practitioners, help young competitors stay at the top of their game and bounce back faster.
HBOT is increasingly used as a treatment for sports injuries in teen athletes, offering potential benefits like reduced inflammation, faster healing, and quicker return to play. HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which increases oxygen levels in the body and promotes healing.
How HBOT Helps Teen Athletes:
Reduces Inflammation and Pain
Accelerates Healing & Improved Tissue Repair
Shortens Recovery Time
May Improve Cognitive Function (Concussions)
Reduces Risk of Re-Injury
Considerations for Teen Athletes:
HBOT protocols, including duration and frequency of treatments, should be tailored to the specific injury and the individual athlete's needs. The qualified practitioners at WOW will oversee all treatment plans to ensure safety and that the needs of the athlete are met.
The Benefits of Combining Cold and Heat Therapies
Contrast therapy—alternating between hot and cold temperatures—is a powerful tool for recovery, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall wellness. At WOW, a popular approach includes time in the infrared or dry sauna, followed by a rinse, a short rest, and a plunge into the cold tubs. This temperature contrast stimulates circulation, boosts the immune system, and helps reduce muscle soreness. It’s also been shown to relieve stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being.
Incorporating contrast therapy into your athlete’s conditioning and recovery routine at WOW can leave them feeling rejuvenated, energized, and ready for the next game.
IV Therapy: A Game-Changer for Teen Athletes
For teen athletes pushing their limits in training and competition, recovery and performance support are essential. IV therapy at WOW offers a fast, effective way to deliver hydration, electrolytes, and vital nutrients directly into the bloodstream—helping young athletes bounce back faster and perform at their best.
Unlike oral supplements or sports drinks, IV therapy allows for immediate absorption, meaning the body can replenish fluids, restore energy, and repair muscles more efficiently. After intense practices, long tournaments, or back-to-back games, this targeted recovery tool can reduce fatigue, minimize muscle soreness, and even support immune health—keeping teen athletes strong, focused, and ready for more.
At WOW, each IV session starts with a health history review conducted by a licensed provider to ensure safety and the right treatment for every athlete. Supervised by experienced nursing staff, the 30–45 minute therapy session takes place in a comfortable setting—complete with massage chairs—making recovery feel like self-care, not a chore.
With a variety of athletic-focused drips available, including options for: hydration, immunity, muscle recovery, and vitamin support, IV therapy at WOW offers a personalized boost for growing bodies under pressure.
Take Your Training to the Next Level with VO₂ Max and RMR Testing at WOW
Whether you're grinding through soccer practices, pushing your limits in cross country, or just want to get faster, stronger, and more efficient, VO₂ Max and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing at WOW can give you the edge.
VO₂ Max testing shows how well your body uses oxygen during intense exercise, a major factor in endurance and performance. It tells you exactly what heart rate zones to train in, your true anaerobic threshold, and how to work smarter, not harder.
What to expect:
You’ll run or bike while wearing a mask that measures your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen use. A WOW clinician will guide the whole session. (Don’t forget your favorite hype music!)
Gaining this valuable data will help you create personalized training zones, track your endurance progress and avoid burnout by training more efficiently.
RMR testing shows how many calories your body burns at rest so you can build smarter nutrition plans, avoid under-fueling, and better support muscle gain or fat loss. It’s perfect for athletes working toward big goals. No more mindless, calorie-absent snacking.
Want to go even further? Pair your VO₂ and RMR tests with a DEXA scan for a full-body analysis of muscle, fat, and bone density.
At WOW, it’s not just about recovery, it's about performance. With the team's vast experience in working with hundreds of patients with knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and other sports injuries, you can be assured you’re receiving care from a well qualified team. From IV therapy and hyperbaric oxygen to contrast therapy and joint injections, Bryant Salmon PA-C, Dr Ben Fogg MD, Meredith Salmon RN-BSN, and the rest of the team have tools to help your athlete train harder, recover smarter, and compete at their best. Go Wasatch Wasps!