New Delhi: Football season is here and it’s time for Germany! Euro Cup 2024 has reached an interesting stage where all teams for the Round of 16 knockouts have been finalised and for football fans (like yours truly), our life finally has got a goal — to watch our players sweat it out, even during downpours, in the picturesque and noisy stadiums of Stuttgart and a host of others. While swift gameplay and immaculate strategy has been on display throughout the season, even injuries have made their presence felt (who would miss the nose mask that Kylian Mbappe has on). But what has also caught the eyes of the audience is a wet patch on the jerseys of our favourite players. In fact, there are videos of coaches rubbing these ointments onto the tees of the players in the dugout.
French Forward Marcus Thuram doesn’t seem to be having a dream run at the Euro at present and his fans await the dribbles that he is most known for. One of his pictures, however, has gone viral. This is why – Thuram has also sported this mysterious wet patch on his jersey! Apart from this, a video of Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid also went viral where he is seen rubbing Vicks VapoRub onto his jersey. You heard that!
Why do players need to rub an ointment onto the T-shirt? According to reports, the application of VapoRub on jerseys has been happening for decades, however, the origin of this practice remains shrouded in mystery.
Checkout this video of Vinicius Junior applying VapoRub:
Vini’s pregame ritual is interesting 🤔🧪
(via @realmadrid) pic.twitter.com/x2wmREDdDl
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 28, 2021
So, why VapoRub?
In a conversation with News9, Dr Saikat Jena, Consultant Orthopedic Joint Replacement Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road explained, “Footballers are often seen applying a generous layer of Vicks VapoRub on their jerseys or chests. The main reason behind this is to help them breathe better during the ongoing matches for better performance. VapoRub is a type of topical ointment that is mostly used for temporarily relieving cough, cold, blocked nose, and minor muscle pain from sudden trauma or injuries. It is made with a combination of various effective and active ingredients like camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol.”
Does applying an ointment on a clothing material really benefit? Doctors say it does to an extent. VapoRub is used externally to aid good respiration. “It is okay to apply it on to the skin (say nose area or even chest) but this would make the skin greasy and the VapoRub would easily dissolve with all the sweat. For longer lasting impact, players prefer to rub it onto a clothing so that the effect stays longer,” Jena added.
Health benefits of rubbing VapoRub before the game
Application of VapoRub on the jersey or the chest helps clear the blocked nasal passage. This can make it easier for the athlete to inhale the strong smell of menthol, providing a sense of relief and comfort on the ground. It is used more during cold weather like monsoons and winter, where there’s an increase of moisture and humidity in the air.
According to Jena, athletes prefer the ointment if they triggering health conditions like cough, cold, wheezing, sore throat, chest pain, and runny or stuffy nose. These health concerns can cause discomfort and adversely affect the performance of the athlete during the football match.
What makes VapoRub the right choice?
VapoRub is said to be a cough suppressant due to active ingredients like camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. Camphor is known to reduce pain and inflammation. Menthol helps treat minor pain associated with joint pain, muscle pain, and headache. Whereas eucalyptus oil has antiseptic properties that effectively provide relief from congestion (stuffy nose) in the sinuses.
There is yet another benefit of applying VapoRub – it can help relax sore muscles too!
Dr Jena says it is a multi-purpose ointment and can be used for treating cough, soreness in the muscle, headache, body pain, cold, cough, and sore throat. “It is also known for its soothing and cooling properties. Massage the sore muscles or joints with a generous amount of VapoRub for more than 10 minutes for quick relief and effective results.”
Cool way to keep cool, we say!
What is common between French Forward Marcus Thuram, Brazilian star striker Vinicius Junior and former soccer player Patrick Paul Vieira? They all sport VapoRub on their jerseys… According to experts, the ointment helps players to breathe better, reduce pain, and focus more Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
