Athletic Trainer Urges 3-Question Test for Supplements and Recovery Gadgets

1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 16

Adam Annaccone, who evaluates products for an NCAA Division I program, says teams judge gadgets and supplements by whether they work, matter in practice, fit the athlete’s goal and justify their cost or risk.
Elite-athlete use can overstate the evidence: compression boots and massage guns may ease soreness or stiffness a little, but broader recovery or performance gains are often inconsistent.
Protein and creatine have clearer support for resistance training, he says, while many other supplements are sold with far weaker evidence and without the diet, health and training context teams consider.
Readiness scores from smart rings and watches can flag sleep, stress or training issues, but device accuracy varies and the score should inform decisions rather than dictate whether to train.
Ice baths show why context matters: they may help short-term tournament recovery, but routine use after strength training can blunt some muscle-building response.