As sports become more intensive and competitive, it is beneficial to maintain yourself in prime condition to stay on top of your game. With that said, athletes are constantly trying to find more ways to further boost their performance. One such method is using cold exposure to condition the body. It promises a boost in performance once you’re out in the field – or out of the ice if I should say.
The Ice Cooled Way
Many athletes incorporate cold exposure into their routine. They partake in methods like ice baths and cold showers to enhance recovery after a game and improve their overall performance for their next event. An ice-cold bath sure is refreshing and soothing after you have an intense and exhausting day.
Examples of athletes who use and discuss cold exposure are NBA Star LeBron James, Olympic Swimmer Micheal Phelps, and British Tennis Player Andy Murray. While not everyone has the same routine, many more athletes are joining in to dive below the ice. They say that there are many benefits to cold exposure, so let’s open the fridge and see what it is all about.
The Ice-Cold Truth
Like how everything in the world works, there is interesting science behind the ice baths like Arctic Plunge has to offer. Cold exposure affects the body in many ways, providing benefits to overall wellness. It won’t give you ice powers, though, so you would have to let that go.
- Ice baths reduce inflammation and soreness in muscles. The method results in faster muscle recovery, making you able to get back in the game as soon as possible. Which also strengthens your endurance. Like they say, no pain, no gain.
- It enhances blood and oxygen circulation. Low temperatures can also relax your body, giving you better airflow and blood flow in your system.
- They activate brown fat to improve energy efficiency. They help you store more energy and also help burn more calories. Aiding you to stay in shape for optimal performance.
- Improved Mental Resilience. This also trains your body to adapt to any situation. It also boosts your dopamine levels and mood.
But great things come with their downsides. Nothing can be perfect without the risks. Cold exposure can also be dangerous to the body if not moderated. Be careful, and don’t put yourself in cryogenic stasis if you don’t want to wake up in the next hundreds or thousands of years.
- Overexposure may cause blunt muscle growth, chilblains, and frostbite. Always remember that there are as many negative effects as there are positive ones if you overdo it. Make sure to maintain proper timing and don’t go over your limits.
- Risk of Hypothermia. You might even get a brain freeze as a bonus, but it’s not really cool if you think about it because you won’t be able to think at all.
- Individual Body Reactions. Not everyone is built like Captain America, so don’t jump in a frozen lake on your first try. Take it easy and start small and simple with ice baths. Then, you can gradually increase the intensity to a reasonable range.
The Ice-Breaking Conclusion
Ice bath is one cool way athletes stay on top of their game. Many embrace the method as it has genuine benefits. But this should not be the one-all-be-all solution; it will not be appealing or effective for everyone.
