I’ve questioned the use of ice baths for a couple years now and have recommended against there every day use for ‘recovery’ because the research evidence actually refutes this myth and there’s some evidence to suggest it may inhibit training adaptations. The body of research against the use of ice baths as a recovery aid is building. Despite this, many players still like to use them (and swear by them!) and they’re common practice in many locker rooms after practices and games. Placebo effect or is the research missing something? I’ve heard some European teams go so far as to have mandatory 5 minute cold baths following every practice. I don’t think this is necessary and is a waste of time and resources. There’s a time and place for ice but as with everything we need to examine why we’re doing what we’re doing. Check out the interesting video above.
Mike Young
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Thermotherapy has specific impact on HRV and impact on secondary injury. I would not use ice baths just to think it’s going to make an impact by tossing it in. The Mobility expert has some great information but it’s a little out of his realm of expertise in my opinion.
Agree fully Carl.
What I like about the video is it makes people think about application of ice being limited or even counter productive. What drives me nuts is that an ahead of publication study gets tweeted and many coaches and sport scientists (yes even them) get blogging about how everyone is wrong.
Should the 14 year old chubby kid jump in the ice bath because he couldn’t do 30 minute warm-ups because he read that his nervous system is “fried”? What about the grade two strain to a hamstring that is bleeding? Compression garments have mixed results. Lots of things to think about, but thanks for sharing Mike.
CV