Making Waves in Cold‐Water Immersion/Swimming Research: Towards a Balanced Assessment of Therapeutic Efficacy and Water Safety

Open water swimming, including cold-water immersion, has grown increasingly popular in the United Kingdom; since 2016 there has been a 138% increase in people reporting to open water swim at least twice a month [1], partly observed by a rise in interest in organised events for open water swimming and by the purported health benefits of cold-water immersion [2]. Yet these benefits are often based on case studies [3], including a growing literature of peoples’ experiences [4], and require thorough investigation of their efficacy and underlying mechanisms. This gap in knowledge highlights the need for rigorously designed studies to substantiate therapeutic claims, weigh up the balance against the risks and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.