How many studies support Cold Exposure?

Meta-analyses consistently find cold water immersion reduces delayed-onset muscle soreness and modestly improves perceived recovery after strenuous exercise, with effects present across team-sport and endurance contexts and influenced by water temperature and immersion duration. That's backed by 11 published studies in Vitaebase's database, including 1 randomized controlled trial and 7 meta-analyses, the most recent from 2026 -- a fairly substantial body of research for a single topic.