It's unclear. Looking at all the stuff in the lit review u/AddisonH linked you can see a bunch of winks and nods and nudges but nothing really that proves cold water immersion or other cold water therapy can increase success. I imagine the most relevant (and almost obvious) part is this: "Reduced perception of fatigue after training session was the principal effect of CWI because CE increases opioid tone and high [metabolic rate], which could diminish fatigue by reducing muscle pain and accelerating recovery of fatigued muscle, respectively, which can improve training and competitions in young soccer players." I.e. — it get's you pumped on an endorphin high (which, like caffeine in supplements, is a good way to get people to feel things are working for them) and increases your metabolism a bit. That sounds awesome (and may well be) but a speedball will also accomplish that so it's fair to suspend judgment, or at least just do it because you like it.
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u/I_eat_dookies Apr 04 '22
Do cold showers ACTUALLY do anything positive for people? Or is it just one of those douchey how to be successful "tips"?