Cold Water Immersion vs Combined Therapies for Exercise Recovery
How does cold water immersion alone compare to combined recovery therapies for post-exercise fatigue?
Meta-analysis of 18 studies reveals that combining cold water immersion with other recovery modalities provides superior benefits compared to cold water immersion alone, with effect sizes 15-30% larger for fatigue reduction and performance recovery measures. This comprehensive analysis examines the comparative effectiveness of standalone versus integrated recovery approaches.
The research synthesizes evidence from 18 randomized controlled trials involving 892 participants across various exercise contexts, comparing cold water immersion as a standalone intervention versus combined recovery protocols that integrate CWI with other therapeutic modalities.