Comparing cold and warm water immersion for muscle soreness recovery
Official title: Comparative Effectiveness of Cold and Warm Water Immersion in Mitigating Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: a Multi-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education · NCT06804564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether cold or warm water immersion helps young men recover from muscle soreness after exercise better than a control treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 52 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Biała Podlaska, Lublin Voivodeship) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 10, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 28, 2025 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | February 11, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06804564 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are healthy males aged 18-25 who engage in moderate physical activity and experience significant muscle soreness post-exercise.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders affecting muscle strength, or those on certain medications may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of cold water immersion (CWI) and warm water immersion (HWI) in alleviating Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in healthy male participants aged 18-25. It employs a multi-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial design to compare the physiological and functional outcomes of these interventions following exercise-induced muscle damage. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: CWI, HWI, or a control group receiving simulated laser therapy, with sessions occurring at specified intervals post-exercise.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide effective recovery strategies for individuals experiencing muscle soreness after intense physical activity.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have explored various recovery methods for DOMS, but the specific comparison of CWI and HWI in this context is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy males aged 18-25 years * BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m² * Experiencing muscle pain (VAS scale) \> 5 for muscle soreness within 12 to 30 hours post-exercise * Engage in moderate physical activity 2-5 hours/week, according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). * They must voluntarily sign a written informed consent approved by an ethics/bioethics committee after sufficient explanation prior to participating in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Inflammatory diseases within the past 6 months * Neurological disorders that affect muscle strength * Ongoing use of steroids, analgesics, muscle relaxants, or other medications deemed inappropriate by the researchers, including antispasmodics, antidepressants, antidiarrheals, antibiotics, or thrombolytics * Unstable medical condition such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, hepatobiliary disease, metabolic disease, endocrine disease, kidney disease, urinary tract disease, genetic disorders, or issues related to the nervous system or mental health. * Participants who have abused alcohol or drugs in the past year, do not wish to follow the study guidelines, or are deemed inappropriate for the study by the researcher will also be excluded.
Where it's running
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Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego w Warszawie
Biała Podlaska, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Szczepan Wiecha
- Email: szczepan.wiecha@sportslab.pl
- Phone: +48602349181
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.