November 2014 PMID 24674975

Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect.

James R Broatch, Aaron Petersen, David J Bishop

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Mentions

132

Peak: 53 in Aug 2023

across 5 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

843,602

potential audience

Total likes

14,077

Video views

335,811

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter74 posts
Facebook30 posts
News22 articles
YouTube3 videos
Blogs3 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone emphasizes skepticism about the physiological effects of cold water immersion, with many posts highlighting the placebo aspect and calling for better research designs, such as sham studies. Phrases such as 'not greater than placebo' and comments about 'difficult to placebo/blind' reflect a scientific skepticism that influences the perception of recovery practices.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions agree that the benefits of cold water immersion are mostly placebo effects, reflecting broad consensus among posters.

InterestModerate interest

Posts show moderate curiosity, especially about methodological issues like blinding and sham protocols, indicating some engagement but not deep obsession.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments reference specific studies, methodological critiques, and implications for recovery practices, showing some depth of discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The consensus impacts how people view recovery strategies, emphasizing skepticism about the physiological benefits of cold water immersion.

Abstract in brief

The study found that cold water immersion (CWI) does not provide physiological recovery benefits beyond a placebo effect, as improvements in muscle strength and psychological readiness were similar to a placebo water immersion.
After high-intensity exercise, muscle strength and feelings of readiness were better maintained with placebo or cold water immersion compared to thermoneutral water immersion, but no clear physiological advantage was observed from CWI itself.
Overall, the perceived benefits of cold water immersion for recovery may mostly result from psychological or placebo effects rather than actual physiological recovery mechanisms.]

Read the full abstract

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J-Shira

@Team_inspire · X

Sep 4, 2025 · 5 likes · 4,804 followers View post →

taka_hirai

@stac_hirai_sub · X

これは疲労が取れるぞ〜と思うことってやはり大切なんだな…笑 Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/aho7eZXZ2S

May 15, 2024 · 18 likes · 7,877 followers View post →

✟ I LOVE YOU MR GOD ✟

@iloveyoumrgod · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 14, 2023 · 44 shares · 1,335 followers View post →

neil orpen

@neilorpen · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 14, 2023 · 44 shares · 2,579 followers View post →

Kurt Harris MD

@radfugee · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 14, 2023 · 44 shares · 1,770 followers View post →

Isegoria

@Isegoria · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 14, 2023 · 44 shares · 1,644 followers View post →

Crémieux

@cremieuxrecueil · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 14, 2023 · 44 shares · 277,151 followers View post →

Mohamed Sedki Kallala

@KallalaSedki · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 9, 2023 · 44 shares · 11 followers View post →

Jared

@jives_pt · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 8, 2023 · 44 shares · 16 followers View post →

Riki

@pichi46 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 7, 2023 · 44 shares · 297 followers View post →

Morteza Jourkesh , PhD

@MJourkesh · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 7, 2023 · 44 shares · 405 followers View post →

Fabiola Z.

@fabiizg · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 7, 2023 · 44 shares · 155 followers View post →

Workout School

@school_workout · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 7, 2023 · 44 shares · 31 followers View post →

Madhan Ramanathan

@sportsphysiouk · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 7, 2023 · 14 shares · 1,145 followers View post →

Konstantinos Ikonomou

@thesmileyphysio · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 7, 2023 · 14 shares · 398 followers View post →

lorence ishuga

@lorence_ishuga · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 7, 2023 · 14 shares · 490 followers View post →

Nora Alsomekhi

@Nora1703 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 7, 2023 · 44 shares · 788 followers View post →

ChrisMatsias

@cmphysio · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 7, 2023 · 44 shares · 230 followers View post →

Physio Explored

@ExploredPhysio · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 754 followers View post →

Javed Alam

@jalam1001 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 1,006 followers View post →

くぼたかふみ

@smalldoemu · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 6,836 followers View post →

stephen LoRusso

@stephenLoRusso2 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 208 followers View post →

Ash Paul

@pash22 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 32,308 followers View post →

Sr. Kame

@Dark_R4ven · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 99 followers View post →

Jin Jung

@jin__jung · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 1 followers View post →

Jane Campbell

@janecamco · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 523 followers View post →

OMV

@OMVSportMed · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 132 followers View post →

Bayar Jaff

@JaffBayar · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 607 followers View post →

Michael Saraceno

@mikesara444 · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 561 followers View post →

Jose

@Jose_8523 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 290 followers View post →

OLUMIDE

@PHFUNK_DOC · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 281 followers View post →

Alexander Downie

@AlexanderDowni1 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 317 followers View post →

Dennis Kuhnert

@DennisKuhner1 · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 22 followers View post →

Julien REB

@rebjulien · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 251 followers View post →

The Barefoot Therapist

@TTherapies · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 161 followers View post →

dame

@StrainDame · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 45 followers View post →

Millsy262

@millsy262 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 1,132 followers View post →

Tom Jones

@tomjones_9 · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 682 followers View post →

Aindriu O Comhraidhe

@LeinsterPT · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 62 followers View post →

ɹǝʇlnoԀ pıʌɐᗡ

@Retlouping · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 26,316 followers View post →

PT_Thunem

@PT_Thunem · X

RT @DerekGriffin86: Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 14 shares · 80 followers View post →

Assent Performance

@SteAssent · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 1,811 followers View post →

Sergio Astiz

@SAstiz · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 40 followers View post →

Derek Griffin

@DerekGriffin86 · X

Save yourself the time. https://t.co/I6lKK7Mfo8

Aug 6, 2023 · 90 likes · 14 shares · 38,405 followers View post →

Derek Griffin

@DerekGriffin86 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 38,405 followers View post →

Nils Kroemer

@cornu_copiae · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 2,720 followers View post →

William Amaral

@_sempreguica · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 122 followers View post →

calon jenazah

@friendySetiawn · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 352 followers View post →

Ft.Cristian

@FtCristian2 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 104 followers View post →

くぼたかふみ

@smalldoemu · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 6,836 followers View post →

Philip Larsson

@Philip97larsson · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 46 followers View post →

Excalibur

@Excalibur2021 · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 73 followers View post →

Oyesanmi (Ph.D)

@Sormaytion · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 957 followers View post →

Lorcán Mason

@lorcanmason · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/sp…

Aug 6, 2023 · 44 shares · 2,816 followers View post →

Jozo Grgic

@Jozo_Grgic · X

Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXHl7r https://t.co/spk2JSU60A

Aug 6, 2023 · 233 likes · 44 shares · 5,478 followers View post →

JVA Physio

@jordanawale · X

RT @FreddyBrown1984: @jordanawale Yeh, lots of issues over adequate blinding. Nicely investigated by @JamesRBroatch https://t.co/uKA98i40A…

Jul 19, 2022 · 1 share · 623 followers View post →

Freddy Brown

@FreddyBrown1984 · X

@jordanawale Yeh, lots of issues over adequate blinding. Nicely investigated by @JamesRBroatch https://t.co/uKA98i40A0 It deffo does SOMETHING though… even if that “something” is detrimental to adaptaive responses! https://t.co/QVYkeS109L

Jul 19, 2022 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,067 followers View post →

たけ

@YiqlXx6svQ8Ch3y · X

RT @taku0726_tr: 運動後の冷水浴によるリカバリー効果は「スキンクレンザー入りのぬるま湯に浸かるとリカバリー効果がある！」と信じ込まされてぬるま湯に浸かった場合（プラセボ）のリカバリー効果と変わらなかったという報告。プラセボ効果すごい。 https://t.c…

Mar 27, 2022 · 6 shares · 2 followers View post →

Yudai Tsuruda, MAT, LAT, ATC

@YudaiTsuruda · X

Mar 27, 2022 · 6 shares · 243 followers View post →

大小

@marathon20636 · X

Mar 27, 2022 · 6 shares View post →

うさ亀

@ark_pt · X

Mar 27, 2022 · 6 shares · 787 followers View post →

西岡卓哉 Takuya Nishioka

@taku0726_tr · X

Mar 27, 2022 · 37 likes · 6 shares · 14,720 followers View post →

Oliver Faude

@OliverFaude · X

@Scienceofsport @996leakybear @JornTrommelen Exactly. But the beneficial effects might be mainly a placebo effect

Dec 3, 2021 · 3 likes · 1,967 followers View post →

Dr. Robert Allan

@robertallan87 · X

@mackinprof @tecumseh181 @CaulfieldTim @iamzeeeggman @medical_xpress @GretchenReynold @TStellingwerff @sweatscience @Ihsan_mo @suzia_k Yes definitely agree difficult to placebo/blind. @JamesRBroatch did a good job here though https://t.co/L6VRjHLisp

Apr 27, 2021 · 4 likes · 1,367 followers View post →

javiphysiomovement

@javier_gualda · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Sep 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 247 followers View post →

Guillaume Toffoli

@toffoli_g · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Sep 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 124 followers View post →

Joaquín San José

@jsanjosea · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Sep 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 408 followers View post →

YURI PAUCAR

@ypaucar · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Aug 31, 2020 · 9 shares · 1,210 followers View post →

Sandro F. da Silva

@sandrofersilva · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Aug 31, 2020 · 9 shares · 553 followers View post →

Andres Felipe

@Anferupu · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Aug 31, 2020 · 9 shares · 51 followers View post →

Kineblasto

@Kineblasto · X

RT @Jozo_Grgic: Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Aug 31, 2020 · 9 shares · 111 followers View post →

Jozo Grgic

@Jozo_Grgic · X

Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect https://t.co/Nye8gXGNhT

Aug 31, 2020 · 44 likes · 9 shares · 5,478 followers View post →

Sports Scientist

@ScientistSports · X

@Sharief_H @waynelombard @steve_dh1 @hayd_hill Appreciate that you mention the need for more sham studies as it relates to recovery. Especially when you see placebo effects in other recovery modalities such as magic soap https://t.co/Y7pWEeOZh1

Jun 14, 2020 · 1 like · 1,015 followers View post →

Mitch Naughton

@Mitch_Naughton_ · X

@Coach_Alejo The benefits of CWI don’t appear to be greater than any belief (placebo) effects. This study demonstrates this with a clever design (https://t.co/EEkwia50x8)

Sep 11, 2019 · 1 like · 1,881 followers View post →

Postexercise cold water immersion benefits are not greater than the placebo effect.

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Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

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