April 2021 PMID 33898988

Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying Mechanisms in Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review.

Aaron C Petersen, Jackson J Fyfe

Mentions

70
Peak: 10 in Mar 2021
across 8 sources since Mar 2021

Extended reach

832,722
potential audience

Total likes

7,928

Video views

352,355

Mentions per month

Mar 2021 – Jan 2026

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter39 posts
  • Facebook10 posts
  • Instagram5 posts
  • LinkedIn5 posts
  • News4 articles
  • Reddit3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • TikTok2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collection reflects a cautious and analytical attitude, as seen in comments noting that research shows CWI can hinder muscle growth and strength adaptations, with phrases like 'detrimental effects' and 'poor risk/reward.' The tone varies from skeptical to contemplative, with some posts emphasizing the need for more research, which underscores the ongoing debate and increasing impact of scientific findings on practical training strategies.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions recognize that CWI may have negative or negligible effects on physiological adaptations to resistance training, indicating a cautious or skeptical stance towards its benefits.

InterestModerate interest

The posts show a moderate interest, as they question traditional recovery practices and highlight emerging research, but some remain skeptical or dismissive.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference scientific studies and expert opinions, engaging with methodological nuances and mechanistic explanations, reflecting a moderate depth of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

These discussions could influence training and recovery practices by highlighting the potential drawbacks of CWI, suggesting a shift towards more evidence-based approaches.

Abstract in brief

  • Postexercise cold water immersion (CWI) is widely used to help athletes recover quickly by reducing muscle soreness, inflammation, and fatigue, which can improve training quality and lead to better long-term adaptations.
  • While CWI can enhance recovery, studies suggest that repeated use may actually hinder certain physiological adaptations from resistance training, such as increases in strength, power, and muscle growth, without affecting endurance improvements.
  • The possible mechanisms behind these effects include CWI reducing the activation of muscle growth pathways and decreasing muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercises, which could explain the blunted long-term gains; however, methodological factors in studies should be carefully considered when interpreting these findings.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Steve Magness
@stevemagness · X

Another found a decrease in anabolic signaling, protein synthesis, and muscle size, power, peak force, and more https://t.co/ymwZNi7zg4 There’s lots of research in this area in strength training. The endurance data is a bit more mixed and nuanced. But the principle holds.

Jan 10, 2022 · 76 likes · 6 shares · 124,994 followers View post →
Jackson Fyfe, PhD
@jacksonfyfe · X

@NBTiller While there are examples of negative effects of CWI, it's also worth considering the available evidence is limited and quite mixed. We tried to summarise the nuances across the CWI and resistance training literature here: https://t.co/r4aiXvKd2P It's also possible CWI

May 17, 2023 · 9 likes · 8,348 followers View post →
Daniel Berglind, PhD
@DanielBerglind · X

@aNorseView

Jul 30, 2023 · 8 likes · 7,931 followers View post →
Frontiers - Sports and Active Living
@FrontSportsAL · X

New Research: Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying Mechanisms in Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review https://t.co/p0Z2P2GuXH #sports #activeliving

Apr 8, 2021 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 4,162 followers View post →
Konstantinos Prokopidis
@KostasProko · X

"...CWI has either nil or detrimental effects on physiological adaptations to RT, inc muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength, strength endurance, and power/RFD, and the molecular responses that underpin adaptation to resistance training in skeletal muscle.." https://t.co/w9lIlGCyxx

Apr 8, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 1,489 followers View post →
Travis Mash
@MashElite · X

Summary of the research showing that CWI is a bad thing post-workout: https://t.co/7zIbFustpG However, clearly good for HRV: https://t.co/GmayKEGPwz and https://t.co/bhcW9HIhMJ My conclusion: more studies are needed for timing versus either/or. #cwi #ice

Feb 12, 2023 · 4 likes · 12,361 followers View post →

All mentions

Daniel Corchado
@med__gym · X

Apr 26, 2025 · 3 likes · 1,876 followers View post →
practicaleval
@practicaleval · X

@drmikehart @hubermanlab @foundmyfitness @tferriss @PeterAttiaMD @joerogan regarding timing of cold immersion https://t.co/SCib8HVuFZ https://t.co/I6I42oBQLa https://t.co/C5JqrAmTi5

Jun 2, 2024 · 19 followers View post →
taka_hirai
@stac_hirai_sub · X

Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying M… https://t.co/6eY3wm639t

May 15, 2024 · 7,896 followers View post →
Daniel Berglind, PhD
@DanielBerglind · X

@Weichaus

Oct 17, 2023 · 7,931 followers View post →
Daniel Berglind, PhD
@DanielBerglind · X

@aNorseView

Jul 30, 2023 · 8 likes · 7,931 followers View post →
Jackson Fyfe, PhD
@jacksonfyfe · X

@NBTiller While there are examples of negative effects of CWI, it's also worth considering the available evidence is limited and quite mixed. We tried to summarise the nuances across the CWI and resistance training literature here: https://t.co/r4aiXvKd2P It's also possible CWI

May 17, 2023 · 9 likes · 8,348 followers View post →
Nutter
@nuttermeme · X

Sources: 1. https://t.co/z5tpeYPk42 2. https://t.co/0LacXYKbLh 3. https://t.co/Klfx0NYIfK 4. https://t.co/v0G3BdOuvG 5. https://t.co/GKOyj1wNcJ https://t.co/z5tpeYPk42

Apr 17, 2023 · 9,509 followers View post →
Nick Vardavas
@vardavas · X

3. Petersen, Aaron C, and Jackson J Fyfe. “Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying Mechanisms in Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review.” Frontiers in sports and active living vol. 3 660291. 8 Apr. 2021.

Feb 18, 2023 · 1 like · 131 followers View post →
Travis Mash
@MashElite · X

Summary of the research showing that CWI is a bad thing post-workout: https://t.co/7zIbFustpG However, clearly good for HRV: https://t.co/GmayKEGPwz and https://t.co/bhcW9HIhMJ My conclusion: more studies are needed for timing versus either/or. #cwi #ice

Feb 12, 2023 · 1 like · 12,361 followers View post →
Travis Mash
@MashElite · X

Summary of the research showing that CWI is a bad thing post-workout: https://t.co/7zIbFustpG However, clearly good for HRV: https://t.co/GmayKEGPwz and https://t.co/bhcW9HIhMJ My conclusion: more studies are needed for timing versus either/or. #cwi #ice

Feb 12, 2023 · 4 likes · 12,361 followers View post →
Francesco
@We_Run_Ultras · X

@B_Holmer Better for beers than for recovery! (https://t.co/zYEKR7MSEC)

Jan 7, 2023 · 3 likes · 132 followers View post →
John Goldman ☀️
@JohnGoldman · X

https://t.co/1nlsauO2e9

Dec 16, 2022 · 120,241 followers View post →
Timothy Caulfield
@CaulfieldTim · X

@KarynLisignoli @ProfMikeTipton @foundmyfitness @hubermanlab Data mixed/messy. Eg reviews: https://t.co/rZcxMgvjmn https://t.co/wNJ9Z1HUry https://t.co/WlyREKq9Cz https://t.co/ohZ703sMzz https://t.co/q4HeeEAP9X https://t.co/hKcyUhiOrx https://t.co/TCVhM1v9gU I'm getting old & cynical, but much hype/pop culture spin in this space! https://t.co/Dz76IyA17N

Sep 22, 2022 · 3 likes · 88,287 followers View post →
Romain Pichon
@RomainPichon · X

@GeekNfit Bon concernant le froid post exo, il semble atténuer les adaptations musculaires (pas les empêcher) à l'entraînement en force (et à priori pas d'atténuation sur l'adaptation à l'entraînement en endurance). ➡️ https://t.co/zPcdagJity

Aug 29, 2022 · 246 followers View post →
Roland Baker
@RolandBakerIII · X

Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying Mechanisms in Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review * Spoiler alert - it may be better to skip cold water immersion after a hard workout. https://t.co/9vdrrmgEek

Apr 25, 2022 · 1 like · 8,205 followers View post →
Rodney Hill
@CoachRodHill · X

RT @stevemagness: Another found a decrease in anabolic signaling, protein synthesis, and muscle size, power, peak force, and more https://t…

Jan 10, 2022 · 6 shares · 2,742 followers View post →
Erica Mulholland, MS CSCS
@fitsoccerqueen · X

RT @stevemagness: Another found a decrease in anabolic signaling, protein synthesis, and muscle size, power, peak force, and more https://t…

Jan 10, 2022 · 6 shares · 17,414 followers View post →
Cam Johnson
@CamJohnson29 · X

RT @stevemagness: Another found a decrease in anabolic signaling, protein synthesis, and muscle size, power, peak force, and more https://t…

Jan 10, 2022 · 6 shares · 6,549 followers View post →
Steve Magness
@stevemagness · X

Another found a decrease in anabolic signaling, protein synthesis, and muscle size, power, peak force, and more https://t.co/ymwZNi7zg4 There’s lots of research in this area in strength training. The endurance data is a bit more mixed and nuanced. But the principle holds.

Jan 10, 2022 · 76 likes · 6 shares · 124,994 followers View post →
Guillermo_Sánchez
@KGuillermin · X

@raul_mtnez_g @japepotkd Debe hablar la ciencia al respecto. Pero puede no ser buena idea después de una sesión de entrenamiento o eso va dejando ver la ciencia. https://t.co/ANOqgurBm9 https://t.co/cCAqjH1rRU Podemos pedir opinión a otros expertos como @pl_valenzuela para que den su opinion.

Jul 3, 2021 · 2 likes · 620 followers View post →
比嘉一雄/筋肉まわりの全て/ヒガトレ®︎/AI 筋トレマシン Higatrec®
@Higa_Kazuo · X

サウナ―のみなさん。注意。筋トレと冷水は相性悪いです。サウナが筋肉に+という論文は今のないですが、冷水は危険です。筋力、筋肉量、筋タンパク合成ともにマイナス影響があります。 https://t.co/R5sxvet2sd https://t.co/c1KLLfsnBA

Apr 30, 2021 · 1 like · 1,643 followers View post →
Alberto Mazzucchelli
@Mazzucchelli92 · X

Frontiers | Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying Mechanisms in Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review | Sports and Active Living https://t.co/86Q7Jkq3mo

Apr 9, 2021 · 545 followers View post →
Moisés Falces Prieto
@Mfalpri · X

RT @FrontSportsAL: New Research: Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Und…

Apr 8, 2021 · 3 shares · 6,556 followers View post →
Meteor0905
@meteor_0905 · X

RT @FrontSportsAL: New Research: Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Und…

Apr 8, 2021 · 3 shares · 41 followers View post →
Alberto Fílter PhD
@AlbertoFilter · X

RT @FrontSportsAL: New Research: Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Und…

Apr 8, 2021 · 3 shares · 2,122 followers View post →
Frontiers - Sports and Active Living
@FrontSportsAL · X

New Research: Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion Effects on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training and the Underlying Mechanisms in Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review https://t.co/p0Z2P2GuXH #sports #activeliving

Apr 8, 2021 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 4,162 followers View post →
BetterThanYesterdayCoaching
@ThanCoaching · X

RT @KostasProko: "...CWI has either nil or detrimental effects on physiological adaptations to RT, inc muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength…

Apr 8, 2021 · 3 shares · 173 followers View post →
Nick Krontiris
@nick_krontiris · X

RT @KostasProko: "...CWI has either nil or detrimental effects on physiological adaptations to RT, inc muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength…

Apr 8, 2021 · 3 shares · 19,474 followers View post →
Konstantinos Prokopidis
@KostasProko · X

"...CWI has either nil or detrimental effects on physiological adaptations to RT, inc muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength, strength endurance, and power/RFD, and the molecular responses that underpin adaptation to resistance training in skeletal muscle.." https://t.co/w9lIlGCyxx

Apr 8, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 1,489 followers View post →
Silvestre Cardiel Gutiérrez, BS
@SilvestreGtz · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 16, 2021 · 10 shares · 77 followers View post →
painPRO Education
@PainproE · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 15, 2021 · 10 shares · 100 followers View post →
Steve Laubenberg
@SLaubenberg · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 15, 2021 · 10 shares · 153 followers View post →
mister_snorzud
@mister_snorzud · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 15, 2021 · 10 shares · 20 followers View post →
rodri ⭐⁷⁴
@rodrivincent12 · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 14, 2021 · 10 shares · 617 followers View post →
hectordietentrena
@hectorllorenc · X

El contexto simpre va por delante: Con el tema de la exposición al frío, por un lado puede ayudar a oxidar mayor cantidad de ácidos grasos pero por otro lado con la evidencia actual en la mejora de la fuerza y la hipertrofia, es una mala idea. https://t.co/yl9UFiS6yb

Mar 14, 2021 · 48 followers View post →
Nicola Tonello - NT Coach
@Nicola_Trainer · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 14, 2021 · 10 shares · 8 followers View post →
Raul
@RaulM06 · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 14, 2021 · 10 shares · 850 followers View post →
Whittfit Training LTD
@whittfit · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 14, 2021 · 10 shares · 243 followers View post →
Mikebarbell
@mikemo93 · X

RT @BradSchoenfeld: Still a lot we don't know on the topic, but based on current evidence, cold water immersion would be a poor risk/reward…

Mar 14, 2021 · 10 shares · 3,696 followers View post →
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