Is Hot Water the Key to Better Recovery?

New study suggests heat may be more beneficial than cold

By Michelle Dotzert

Social media feeds are filled with runners and athletes touting cold plunges and ice baths as essential for recovery, and dozens of specialized ice bath tubs and barrels are available. But studies measuring their effectiveness for recovery show conflicting results. A recent study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise suggests a hot bath may yield better outcomes for muscle recovery. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a hot-, cold-, or warm-water bath on neuromuscular recovery after muscle damage created by an exercise task. Participants were males in their early 20s who trained for six or more hours a week. On the first day of the study, researchers measured quadriceps muscle isokinetic strength (the force a muscle creates when the speed of the movement is…

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Canadian Running (Digital) - 1 Issue, November/December 2024

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