Cold Water Immersion for Athletic Performance

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Disqualifiers: Injury, Open wounds, Cold hypersensitivity, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how cold water immersion (CWI) affects recovery and performance in student-athletes. Participants will immerse in 55-degree Fahrenheit water for ten minutes after training sessions to assess its impact on muscle recovery, sleep, and overall athletic performance. The study targets UCLA athletes in Division I volleyball, football, or cross-country who do not have cold-related conditions like Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes cold fingers and toes. Eligible participants will wear a WHOOP device to monitor recovery and performance metrics. As an unphased trial, this study provides athletes the chance to explore innovative recovery methods and contribute to sports science research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that cold water immersion is safe for athletes?

Research shows that cold-water immersion (CWI) is generally safe for most people. Studies have found that CWI can reduce muscle soreness and swelling after exercise, making it popular among athletes seeking faster recovery. However, caution is necessary. Repeated exposure to cold water might increase blood pressure, posing a risk for individuals with heart problems.

Overall, healthy athletes tolerate CWI well. Those with health concerns should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional if unsure about CWI's effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about cold water immersion for athletic performance because it offers a non-invasive, natural method to enhance recovery and performance. Unlike other treatments that might involve medication or supplements, cold water immersion uses temperature to potentially reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after intense exercise. This technique is simple and can be easily integrated into athletes' routines, providing a quick and accessible recovery option. Additionally, it might help athletes recover faster, allowing them to train more effectively and frequently.

What evidence suggests that cold water immersion is effective for athletic performance?

This trial will compare the effects of cold water immersion with a control phase. Studies have shown that cold water baths can reduce muscle stiffness and tiredness after exercise. They also lessen muscle damage from workouts and improve well-being within the first day after exercising. Research indicates that cold water baths can enhance jumping ability, particularly with specific times and temperatures. However, some studies suggest that cold water baths are not more effective than other recovery methods for reducing muscle inflammation and stress. Overall, cold water baths have positively affected muscle strength, soreness, and the overall recovery experience. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for NCAA Division I athletes in volleyball, football, and cross country. Participants must be willing to undergo cold water immersion after training and wear a WHOOP device to monitor recovery metrics.

Inclusion Criteria

Currently enrolled at UCLA and participating in Men's and Women's Volleyball, Football, Men's and Women's Cross Country

Exclusion Criteria

Under the influence of drugs or alcohol

I cannot do the needed physical tests because of an injury or other health issue.

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Control Phase

Participants complete normal training sessions without cold water immersion for 14 days

2 weeks

Continuous monitoring with WHOOP device

Intervention Phase

Participants undergo cold water immersion sessions within one hour of training completion for 14 days

2 weeks

5 sessions per week, total of 10 sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for recovery and performance metrics

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cold Water Immersion

Trial Overview The study tests if soaking in a pool of cold water (55°F) for ten minutes helps with muscle soreness, sleep quality, and athletic performance during an intense training cycle. Athletes will compare their recovery with and without the cold-water treatment over four weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cold water immersion phase. Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control phase. Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

WHOOP Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

790+

Whoop Inc.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

5

Recruited

1,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Cold water immersion (CWI) at temperatures of 10-15°C for 5-15 minutes is shown to effectively enhance recovery of performance in athletes, making it a popular choice for minimizing fatigue after exercise.

Contrast water therapy (CWT), which alternates between cold and hot water, may also aid recovery, but its effectiveness depends on equal time spent in both temperatures and short immersion durations, with no clear dose-response relationship established.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Water immersion recovery for athletes: effect on exercise performance and practical recommendations. Versey, NG., Halson, SL., Dawson, BT.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9896520/

Effects of cold water immersion after exercise on fatigue ... Studies have shown that CWI reduces post-exercise muscle stiffness, eliminates fatigue, decreases exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1525726/full

Impact of different doses of cold water immersion (duration ... The results indicate that MD-LT-CWI (10–15 min, 5°C–10°C) was the most effective in enhancing jump performance. This finding is significant, ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5285720/

The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on ... The study found that cold water immersion is no more effective than active recovery for minimizing inflammation and stress in muscle after resistance exercise.

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/8/1205

Comparison of the Effects of Cold-Water Immersion ... The available evidence suggests that CWI positively impacts muscle strength, soreness, serum CK levels and subjective recovery perception within the first 24 h ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06565468

The Effect of Cold Water Immersion on Recovery and ... In this study, the investigators will examine the effect of cold-water immersion (CWI) on objective and subjective recovery metrics, as well as simple ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518606/

Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water If repeated cold-water immersion causes elevation of blood pressure, this could be linked to several heart conditions, such as ventricular ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1006512/full

Effects of cold water immersion after exercise on fatigue ... Studies have shown that CWI reduces post-exercise muscle stiffness, eliminates fatigue, decreases exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and improves athletic ...

8. mayoclinichealthsystem.org mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/cold-plunge-after-workouts

Can taking a cold plunge after your workout be beneficial? Research indicates that icy water may have a positive effect on recovery after exercise by reducing inflammation and soreness.

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859218301542

The effect of cold-water immersion on physical performance Immediately (2 min) after cold-water immersion, there was a decline in both the vertical jump and 40-yard dash tests compared to pre-intervention scores.