Icy vs. Hot: Do Thermal Treatments Really Boost Muscle Gains?

Athletes often use cold or heat treatments to speed up muscle recovery. But do these thermal interventions really make a difference? Some research shows that cold might not be so great for growing muscles. It can slow down protein creation and muscle repair after workouts, leading to weaker gains. On the other hand, heat seems to help protect muscles from breaking down during immobilization or injury. It can boost how proteins are rebuilt and keep muscle mass strong. However, whether heat helps athletes with healthy muscles is still a mystery. Plus, how these treatments affect long-term training improvements and the role of epigenetics (how our genes are packed and controlled) needs more investigation. Scientists should look into the best way to use these thermal interventions to maximize muscle benefits.