As usual, the popular press report what they think will sell the papers, the results being half a story; my previous post is a great example.
It’s worth going to the horses mouth, looking at the English Institute of Sport’s news, gives us a little more info.
“In competition scenarios ice baths are beneficial because athletes are required to perform again in close succession so their recovery needs to be fast.
“There’s evidence to suggest that if you constantly decrease the stress in training that the body won’t adapt, so long term use of a recovery technique, such as an ice bath, should be reviewed to avoid any detrimental effects on performance and to ensure that these techniques have their biggest impact when needed during competition”
So, it appears that ice baths do help with recovery, but they also inhibit the natural process of inflammation which is a vital component of muscles rebuilding and strengthening.
Ice baths — useful during competition, but not so good during training.
It also opens a whole new debate: as athletes, should we be seeking out ways to lessen the painful consequences of training? Or, should we accept them as a necessary part of training development.
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