Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
2d ago

Study Finds No Muscle Recovery Benefits from Cold or Hot Water Immersion in Women

A landmark trial challenges long-held assumptions about hydrotherapy, emphasizing the need for gender-specific sports science research.

Image
Women practicing necessary steps for ice bath therapy, pinching their noses with their fingers to hold their breath, listening carefully to the instructor, mentally preparing for a new and revitalizing healing experience

Overview

  • The randomized controlled trial, published in PLOS ONE, tested cold and hot water immersion on 30 women after intense exercise and found no measurable improvements in recovery.
  • Researchers assessed muscle strength, soreness, swelling, and creatine kinase levels over 72 hours, with no significant differences observed between immersion and control groups.
  • This study is one of the first to focus exclusively on women, addressing a gap in sports science research historically centered on male participants.
  • While no objective recovery benefits were found, the study notes potential psychological effects, such as feeling refreshed, may still influence perceived recovery.
  • The authors recommend further research in real-world settings, with diverse populations and varying protocols, to better understand hydrotherapy's role in recovery.