Fitness Expert: Cold Plunge with Caution
Exercise physiologistAlexander Rothstein, Ed.D., assistant professor of exercise science, is featured in a article aboutcold plunges. While cold plunging before a workout can help athletes feel more energized, Rothstein cautions that doing so can potentially increase the time it takes to warm up. Athletes should watch for signs of tight, tense muscles, and warm up thoroughly before training. For those considering a post-workout plunge, he warns that this timing can prohibit the good inflammatory process that comes with muscle healing, potentially increasing the risk of overuse or overtraining.
If we blunt that response, we might be losing out on the opportunity to actually have gains from our workout or to have positive adaptation in the muscles, Rothstein explains.
The article also appeared in 22 other outlets, including , , and , among others.