CRISTIANO RONALDO has sent his Instagram fans into a frenzy after posting this topless photo from a recovery session.
The Juventus superstar, 35, uploaded the monochrome photo of himself about to plunge into a freezing cold ice bath.
Ronaldo posted this photo of himself about to plunge into an ice bath
Ronaldo is believed to undergo what is known as contrast bath therapy after games and training sessions.
First, he spends around five minutes in a hot bath (between 38 and 44 degrees Celcius).
Then, when his body is warmed, he shocks it by jumping into the cold pool for three minutes. This process is repeated for 30 minutes.
By getting his body to rapidly adjust to hot and cold temperatures, Ronaldo – who recently posted a video of himself doing sit-ups with his daughter resting on him – stimulates increased blood flow in areas of injury, strain or fatigue.
It can also help remove a build up of lactic acid if he has gone particularly hard in the gym.
And it is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect on any bruising.
It also had the knock-on effect of sending his fans crazy, with one writing: “Amazing body attained through such hard work!”
Another put: “Incredible.”
Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti recalled how the forward would take ice baths at 3am.
The Portuguese worked under Ancelotti for two seasons at the Bernabeu, including their unforgettable La Decima triumph in the Champions League in 2014.
And the current Everton boss previously opened up on the levels of professionalism Ronaldo attained during their time together.
He said: “We would sometimes return from a European game. It could be three in the morning but Ronaldo would be the player who did not go straight home.
“Instead, he would go to the training ground for the ice bath, to help with his recovery from the game.”
Of course, Ronaldo’s amazing physique is not maintained with a diet of burgers, chips and pizza.
No, he gorges on ‘magic’ chicken, swordfish… and also somehow finds time for five naps a day.
Cristiano Ronaldo at centre of controversial late draw as Juventus score injury time equaliser against AC Milan in Coppa Italia semi-final
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
