Cold Water Immersion and Recovery in Trained Athletes
Optimizing recovery strategies through controlled temperature exposure
This project explored the physiological consequences of cold water immersion as a recovery strategy for endurance athletes. Students collected data on lactate clearance, heart rate variability, and perceived recovery scores across multiple immersion protocols.
Research Background
Cold water immersion has gained popularity as a recovery modality among athletes, but questions remain about optimal protocols. Our research focuses on quantifying the physiological responses to different water temperatures and immersion durations.
Methodology
We use a combination of physiological markers to assess recovery:
- Blood lactate clearance rates
- Heart rate variability metrics
- Core and skin temperature changes
- Subjective recovery scores
Key Findings
Our preliminary results suggest that brief (5-10 minute) immersions at moderate temperatures (10-15°C) may offer optimal benefits for endurance athletes without the discomfort associated with more extreme protocols.
Media Coverage
Our research on cold water immersion has been featured in several news outlets: