Cryotherapy/cold-water immersion in football

Recovery from games or simply (intense periods of) from training is a major focus for footballers. One part of recover is colloquially called “ice-bath” or “cold-water immersion”.

A more scientific/medical term used is “cryotherapy” which originates from the Greek “cryo” (meaning cold) and “therapy” (meaning cure).

Cryotherapy does not necessarily imply the usage of cold-water only, ice packs as well as cold-air chambers are also categorized under cryotherapy. However, and from a practical perspective in football teams, I will focus on cold-water immersion as this is the most practical (and probably the most utilized) form of cryotheraphy.