Effects of post-exercise hot and cold-water immersion on performance recovery and physiological markers in athletes: a systematic review
Bustos Carvajal J, Pérez Hurtado E, Bustos Carvajal M, Celis Villamizar DM, Arias Coronel F
Frontiers in sports and active living · 0 citas
Cómo se estudió
- Diseño
- Revisión sistemática (indexado por PubMed)
- Estudiado en
- Personas
- Resultado principal
- Marcadores de salud y funcionamiento
Quién lo pagó
- Financiación
- Financiación independiente
- Universidad u hospital
- Universidad Santiago de Cali
- Subvenciones
- Universidad Santiago de Cali (01-2026)
Según 1 financiador declarado y la declaración de financiación del texto completo.
Publicación
- Publicado
- 2026-07-03 · Front Sports Act Living · vol. 8 · pág. 1794029
- Editorial
- Frontiers Media
- Citado
- 0 citas · más que el 39% de estudios similares · 0.0× el promedio de su campo
- Referencias
- 20 trabajos
- Acceso
- Acceso abierto (revista) · CC-BY
- Áreas de investigación
- Sports Performance and Training · Exercise and Physiological Responses · Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Palabras clave
- cold water immersion, hot water immersion, post-exercise recovery, delayed onset muscle soreness, fatigue, creatine kinase, cytokines, testosterone, cortisol, sleep quality, anaerobic power, HSP72, athletes, recovery strategies
5 autores
- Juan Bustos-Carvajal🇨🇴University of Pamplona
- Elkin Pérez Hurtado🇨🇴University of Pamplona
- Mónica Bustos Carvajal🇨🇴University of Pamplona
- Diego Mauricio Celis Villamizar🇨🇴University of Pamplona
- Florencio Arias Coronel🇨🇴Universidad Santiago de Cali
Resumen
El texto original del estudio, en el idioma en que se publicó.
Cold water immersion (CWI) and hot water immersion (HWI) are widely used recovery strategies in sports, yet their comparative efficacy remains unclear. This systematic review evaluates the effects of post-exercise CWI and HWI on performance recovery and physiological markers in athletes.
Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and other databases was conducted up to December 2024. Randomized controlled trials and crossover studies comparing CWI, HWI, and control conditions in athletes or physically active individuals were included. Outcomes included perceptual recovery (DOMS, fatigue), biochemical markers (CK, cytokines), hormonal responses, and performance metrics.
Results
Eight studies were included. Neither CWI nor HWI consistently reduced DOMS or improved perceived recovery compared to control. However, HWI significantly improved sleep quality and acute anaerobic power, while CWI impaired immediate power output. Biochemically, chronic HWI reduced CK and increased testosterone, whereas CWI elevated HSP-72. Hormonal and inflammatory responses were modest, with no significant changes in cortisol or testosterone to cortisol ratio.
Conclusions
The effects of water immersion are temperature and context dependent. HWI may benefit sleep and anaerobic performance, while CWI may hinder immediate power and induce cellular stress adaptations. Recovery strategy selection should align with specific athletic goals.
Systematic review registration
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420251156387, CRD420251156387.
Resumen vía Europe PMC. Los derechos de autor siguen siendo de los autores o la editorial (CC BY).
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