A randomised trial by a team at the University of East London, published in the Journal of Thermal Biology, tested 40 adults who strength trained. After intense leg exercise, those given 15 minutes of 9°C cold water recovered about 82 per cent of maximum strength at 72 hours, against about 89 per cent for rest, hot water and hot air. Cold water users reported less pain at 24 hours, but more by 48 hours.