Podium Presentation
Cold Water Immersion on Recovery and Performance
A Prospective Crossover Trial in NCAA Division I Athletes Using Continuous WHOOP Biometrics
AMSSM 35th Annual Meeting · 2025
A Prospective Crossover Trial in NCAA Division I Athletes Using Continuous WHOOP Biometrics
Cold water immersion (CWI) is widely used by athletes for post-exercise recovery, but meta-analyses of the general population show variable effects. This study asked a more targeted question: which athletes actually respond to CWI, and can wearable biometrics identify them? Using a prospective crossover design with continuous WHOOP monitoring, we tracked heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), subjective recovery, and muscle soreness in 37 NCAA Division I athletes across CWI and control conditions.
Results from 37 NCAA Division I athletes, with a pre-specified responder analysis.
Cold water immersion produced a significant reduction in muscle soreness across the full cohort and meaningful improvements in HRV, RHR, and subjective recovery in a wearable-identified responder subgroup — without impairing jump performance. These findings support an individualized approach to recovery: using wearable biometrics to identify which athletes actually benefit from CWI, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Access the full study record, protocol details, and enrollment status.
NCT06565468UCLA varsity athletes can join an active study, and researchers or partners can collaborate with the HERO Lab.