EVALUATION OF COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFTER REPEATED IMMERSION IN COLD WATER

Abstract

Typically defined as water below 15°C (Knechtle et al., 2020), cold water immersion carries both physiological and psychological implications. This research paper explores the effects of cold water immersion on various psychological and cognitive variables. Two conditions were studied: acute cold water immersion (10 degrees Celsius) and acclimatized cold water immersion (15 degrees Celsius). The independent variables included temperature and immersion duration, while the dependent variables encompassed psychological and cognitive measures. We employed a Pretest-Posttest, 7-day intervention (Cold water immersion), single blinded, quasi-experimental study design. Forty healthy young adults, meeting specific eligibility criteria, participated in the study. The results indicate significant effects of cold water immersion on resilience and mood, as evidenced by changes in psychological variables. Resilience increased and mood improved with reduced negative affect and increased positive affect. Cognitive measures showed improved performance in reaction time, sustained attention, decision-making, and working memory following cold water immersion, highlighting its potential cognitive benefits. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups ie.) 10 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius in terms of cognitive performance. These findings align with existing research on the positive effects of cold water immersion, such as increased resilience, mood enhancement, and potential cognitive improvements. Understanding these effects can have implications for various applications, from mental health interventions to performance enhancement.