The duration of immersion in an ice bath or contrast therapy will vary depending on your specific needs and your tolerance for the temperature of the water. You may like to begin with shorter immersion times, such as 1-4 minutes in the ice bath/cold pool, followed by 1-4 minutes in the warm/hot pool. As your body becomes more accustomed to the temperature changes, you can gradually increase the duration of each immersion. Don’t push too hard too fast as it can lead to injury or hypothermia.
The ideal duration of immersion will also depend on the intensity of the exercise and your individual recovery needs. For example, if you are an athlete who engages in intense training on a regular basis, you may need longer durations of immersion. On the other hand, if you are someone who engages in moderate physical activity, shorter durations may be sufficient.
If you are concerned or suffer from a specific health challenges, you may wish to speak to your preferred healthcare professional. They can provide guidance on the appropriate duration of immersion, as well as any necessary precautions or modifications to your contrast therapy sessions based on your individual needs.