As sports begin to pick back up again I have been asked a bit about ice baths. I have never heard of anyone actually enjoying a nice cold ice bath after a rigorous practice or long days of games. Sure enough there is even limited research supporting positive effects of using an ice bath as a recovery tool! Sweet, no more awful recovery baths, but if they are not a positive way of recovery, then what is?

The attached article suggests based on athlete perception that contrast therapy may be a better option, participating athletes perceive to be more relaxing and find it easier to rest and sleep post-game or training.

What are your favorite recovery tools?

https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2011/04000/A_Random_Control_Trial_of_Contrast_Baths_and_Ice.23.aspx