rangerdavid

I been reading a lot about the pro's and others taking a ice bath, i.e. just sitting in a tub of ice water, after a workout or a race. When I was playing organized sports, we always took a hot tub or jacuzzi after a workout.

I can imagine one benefit is the reduction of inflamation, unless its very deep rooted. Why else do the pro's and so many others do the ice bath now? I actually just tried one after a metric century today, and while my legs feel ok, the muscles are really stiff and tight, like one would expect from a bath in cold water instead of hot.

Also, there's the, Ahemmm, shrivel factor......... I'm just sayin.

i'm paramount

Stay cool-- https://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/s...a/Ice-Bath.htm

it works for me!

kenji666

Yeah, but for you, that was before the ice bath.

rangerdavid

IQUOTE=i'm paramount;12904193]Stay cool-- https://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/s...a/Ice-Bath.htm

it works for me![/QUOTE]


Great link! Thanks!

iheartbenben

"Active recovery may be as good as cold water immersion for exercise recovery." So, are you missing recovery? Combining the two I guess would be optimal.

Step up your focus on recovery. I saw marathoners doing this all the time when really they were missing more recovery AND activity time.

However, ice baths make you super hard. Bonus points for doing as depicted with a trash can full of melted ice and audience.

Misochew

A lot of NFL players do that too. It helps the muscles recover.

Shimagnolo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEnKLhi83J8

dahut

I aint hardcore enough for ice baths.
Post ride I do a bunch of pushups, stretches and run the garden hose on my head.
Thats' enough.

kenji666

I just stand in the shower with cool water for 10-15 minutes before I soap up.

AMAlex

Well ice baths can help in the recovery of muscles, but only if done right. You have to switch from icy water to warm/timid water a number of times to be effective. Oh, and jacuzzi's/ very hot water bath can actually zap your energy.

Silvercivic27

What about just soaking the legs?

patrickgm60

My son rows crew and they often dip waist-deep in the cold water after and between events. I've seen the top collegiate teams do it, also. Supposedly assists with recovery.

kenji666

Are you sure they are not just urinating in the river?

prathmann

The sportsmedicine link above seems very inconclusive about the benefits and/or drawbacks of the cold water baths.

My only related experience was a number of years ago when I took my daughter swimming at a 'Y' outdoor pool located at the top of a hill. We'd ride out there on our tandem and I'd get a pretty good workout getting us up the hill. Early in the season the pool water was quite chilly - no more than 70F. Going in right after riding I would very consistently get leg cramps and I'd have to get out of the pool to warm up before they'd subside. So my muscles didn't seem to appreciate the cool water recovery treatment - can't imagine that using even colder water would have felt better.

Velo Gator

I'll sometimes just sit in the tub and add water and ice high enough to cover the legs. It's not so bad that way.

patrickgm60

AMAlex

I just finished HS rowing and my university doesn't have rowing, which is why I'm cycling now haha. Anyways, we used to do ice baths and it does help with recovery.

ancker

From what I've read, basically the quicker your core temperature returns to normal, the quicker your body/muscles go into recovery mode. An ice bath is an effective way to lower core temperature quickly. I'm not sure I could hack it, but Pro's and top athletes wouldn't do it if it didn't work for them.

iheartbenben

That sounds dangerous and wildly inconvenient...how many BF members do you need for training staff?

Jakedatc

The cold baths we have athletes use at school is 55-60F you don't need super crazy cold. plus if it is colder than that you probably won't stay in long enough for it to do any good. Hard training leads to microtears in the muscle. icing down after reduces the inflammation as with any injury.

The other good stuff that isn't as available is cold with intermittent compression. Check out a device called GameReady. It pumps cold water through it and then pumps in air to cause compression.. then it relaxes.. then pumps up again. It's like a massage with icing at the same time.

Mr Pink57

I used to do them everyday after football practice, they're great! Get's the core temp down and helps with recovery. I would get a lot of lactic acid build up in my legs and just soak in it, it can be a bit tough at first but you get used to it. Also at some higher end gyms around here they offer cold water jacuzzi's which are awesome! Just don't bring the ladies ..... or do

terencesailing

I have done it before but I had to be fully submerged from neck down. Sometimes it gets too cold and the toes get awfully painful. I think it's best to alternate between warm baths for at least 5 times. The sports scientist recommended finishing off in the cold one but i could never do it. hahah...

Funny to see how some of my teammates squeal for the firsts 10 seconds.

radshark

a couple of runners I know use a garden hose on the legs after running. I don't thing I could sit in a bath of ice water afterward....

zigmeister

The theory is that ice will cause the muscles to contract, squeezing the lactic acid out of the muscle. This will aid in recovery and hopefully reduce soreness and inflammation.

I'm sure there is study out there on this and whether it works or not. Probably has some benefit. You should work your way up to a full ice bath. Would not recommend you just jump in 30 degree water...heart attacks...haha..

Da Sherm

This.

I find a hot shower after a ride just heats me up way too much and the cool water feels good. Doubt I could withstand sitting in ice water though.