Ice Bath?

dabullj99 · 05-26-2005, 07:56 AM

Why do athletes take ice baths after hard training sessions; and would this be something that benefits bodybuilders?

AnimalGen · 05-26-2005, 01:09 PM

They only do it if they have been injuried. A hot bath is bether for recovery.

fallen · 05-26-2005, 03:10 PM

yeah what he said ^^^

SmallButGettingThere · 05-27-2005, 12:57 AM

You both are completely wrong. Cold water has been proven to trigger the release of testosterone which as we all know builds muscle. I take a cold shower which does havoc on my balls but really pumps me up and gives me quick energy and helps me build quicker as well.

GoingBiG · 05-27-2005, 01:22 AM

I would like to see a source on that...

SmallButGettingThere · 05-27-2005, 10:30 AM

ask any doctor.

GoingBiG · 05-27-2005, 10:42 AM

Can't find anything on google scholar...

fallen · 05-27-2005, 11:03 AM

the doc at my old gym said that it is better to take a hot shower after a hard workout to help with recovery. He also said that a cold shower could shock your muscules and cause them to cramp.

Ironslave · 05-27-2005, 11:07 AM

I agree, you wont find a source for that, however you will find the opposite.

Retana-Marquez S, Bonilla-Jaime H, Vazquez-Palacios G, Martinez-Garcia R, Velazquez-Moctezuma J. Changes in masculine sexual behavior, corticosterone and testosterone in response to acute and chronic stress in male rats. Horm Behav. 2003 Nov;44(4):327-37.

"Additionally, we evaluated the effect of testosterone treatment on the effects of stress on sexual behavior. Sexually experienced male rats were exposed to one of the following stressors: immobilization (IMB), electric foot shocks (EFS) or immersion in cold water (ICW)."

"Associated with these effects, testosterone decreased in the EFS and ICW groups on days 1, 15, and 20. However, corticosterone increased only in males exposed to ICW"

summary, increased cortisol, decreased testosterone.

A cold shower is definately not what you want after a workout, it will cause vasoconstriction, which will impede nutrient delivery. Also, hot showers help the secretion of growth hormone. Please ensure you are well informed before making scientific claims.

sadistikal · 05-27-2005, 09:46 PM

Cold showers are for pyschotics!
(kiddin)
I tryed the cold shower after a workout once.
My girlfriend found me unconcious in the bath tub.
She called the paramedics..they said it was shock,and strongly suggested that I was an idiot.

scrawnybrawny · 05-27-2005, 10:10 PM

i don't care if cold showers help or not, i'm not soaking my balls in ice water. is it possible that bb'ers are partially insane. do we really need to analyze every little things effect on our muscles/growth. i find myself doing it all the time and it is starting to wear on me a bit

SmallButGettingThere · 05-27-2005, 10:11 PM

sorry guess i'm the idiot. COld shower is now being stopped

sadistikal · 05-27-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrawnybrawny

i don't care if cold showers help or not, i'm not soaking my balls in ice water. is it possible that bb'ers are partially insane. do we really need to analyze every little things effect on our muscles/growth. i find myself doing it all the time and it is starting to wear on me a bit

Personaly,I think I may have been insane before I started,
But it does keep me from goin crazy.

BigmanB · 05-28-2005, 07:33 PM

ice baths are the way to go i fill the tub all the way up with the coldest water can get then put 5-10lbs in tub sit for 20-30mins then get out.