Fitness Expert: Cold Plunge with Caution

Exercise physiologist Alexander Rothstein, Ed.D., assistant professor of exercise science, is featured in a Men’s Journal article about cold 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 Yahoo Life, Miami Herald, and Fort Worth Star-Telegram, among others.