Impact of Cold-Water Immersion Compared with Passive Recovery Following a Single Bout of Strenuous Exercise on Athletic Performance in Physically Active Participants: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Meta-regression

Methodology

Meta-analysis

Population

Physically active participants; studies of CWI vs passive recovery

Intervention

CWI vs passive recovery after strenuous exercise

Findings

Cold-water immersion improved perceived recovery and reduced creatine kinase compared to passive recovery, but performance-recovery benefits were small and inconsistent. Temperature and duration matter (11-15°C for 10-15 min commonly studied) — CWI is a useful recovery tool but not a performance enhancer per se.

Outcome measures

Athletic performance recovery, perceived recovery, creatine kinase

Limitations

Heterogeneity in CWI protocols; varying exercise types; limited long-term data.

Original source

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-022-01644-9 · PMID: 35157264