Cold Water Immersion Duration and Temperature Dose-Response Analysis
What combination of temperature and duration provides optimal cold water immersion benefits?
The optimal dose combines 12-14°C water temperature with 12-15 minute duration, providing maximum recovery benefits while maintaining safety and tolerability for post-exercise muscle damage recovery.
This network meta-analysis examined 28 studies with 1,247 participants to determine the most effective combinations of cold water immersion temperature and duration. The research reveals specific dose-response relationships that optimize recovery while minimizing adverse effects and maximizing practical implementation.