The BASES Expert Statement on the use of cooling therapies for post exercise recovery

Abstract

In a previous BASES Expert Statement, Howatson et al. (2016) described popular athletic recovery interventions, outlining
their mechanisms of effect, and summarizing the strength of the supporting evidence base. Cooling therapies remain one of the most popular post exercise recovery strategies used by both professional and recreational athletes. Cooling is purported to
reduce blood flow and tissue temperature, which subsequently improves functional recovery and perception of muscle soreness. However, the practical application of cooling therapies varies (Allan et al., 2021), and some practitioners may be unaware of the mechanistic rationale or the margins for safe application. There is also ongoing debate concerning the chronic use of cooling and its potential impact on long-term training adaptation. Using current evidence to outline when cold therapies could be employed, their key (psycho)physiological effects, and guidance on dose considerations, this expert statement provides recommendations
for using cooling therapies in post-exercise recovery.