MYTH #2: ICE BATHS REDUCE MUSCLE SORENESS
Though it has long been taught that an ice bath is a great way to recover from a strenuous exercise, recent studies by the University of Queensland showed that cold water immersion may actually delay one’s recovery. After studying two groups of physically fit men who received either a post-workout ice bath or time on an exercise bike, researchers found that those who powered down on a bike experienced increased muscle mass and strength while the ice recipients did not. Their findings showed that satellite cell activity, which is necessary to the building of muscle, was reduced during ice bathing, delaying the recovery process up to two days. While these results may be due to the reduced blood flow often caused by frigid water, additional studies are needed before a definitive claim is made.
