Fatigue Recovery and Exercise Performance after Contrast Water Therapy- Meta-analysis

Abstract

Fatigue recovery plays a critical role in athletic performance. Contrast Water Therapy (CWT) has been widely applied, but its effectiveness remains controversial across different exercise types. Methods applied in the study: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Elsevier databases. Seventeen trials involving 368 participants were included. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data, including subjective indicators (DOMS, RPE) and objective markers (CMJ, sprint, CK, lactate, CRP, IL-6). Results: Meta-analysis showed that CWT significantly alleviated DOMS and RPE, particularly after team-based sports like football. CWT was also effective in reducing lactate levels immediately post-exercise. However, no significant improvements were found in CMJ or sprint performance for most sports. Cold Water Immersion (CWI) showed superior results in reducing CK and lactate at 24–48h postexercise compared to CWT. Discussion: CWT can reduce perceived muscle soreness and fatigue, especially in team sports, though its impact on objective performance is limited. CWI may be more effective for physiological recovery. Further studies are needed to explore protocol-specific and sport-specific outcomes.