A Four-Day Cold Shower Protocol Does Not Increase Salivary Testosterone in a Small Cohort of Male Athletes: A...

Testosterone is an important hormone in male physiology, playing a key role in reproductive function, muscle growth, bone mineral density, and metabolic regulation. Cold exposure is celebrated in fitness and wellness communities for its potential to elevate testosterone levels and improve performance and recovery. While enthusiasm runs high, it's essential to explore and appreciate the scientific evidence behind these exciting claims. Cold showers have become popular among athletes as a form of cold exposure and serve as a practical alternative to traditional cryotherapy. While some cold exposure treatments have been linked to temporary increases in testosterone levels, the effects of daily cold showers on salivary testosterone concentrations have not been thoroughly investigated.

In this study, 11 male current or former college athletes participated in a cold shower protocol. Baseline salivary testosterone samples were collected before the first cold shower. The participants underwent 10-min cold showers at 17°C for four consecutive days. A final saliva sample was taken within 24 h after the cold shower sessions to assess changes in salivary testosterone levels, which were then compared to the average pre-intervention values.

The results showed varied individual responses: some participants experienced increased testosterone levels, others had reduced levels, and several showed negligible changes. Overall, the group-level analysis indicated no statistically significant changes in salivary testosterone following the cold shower intervention. These findings suggest that short-term, moderate exposure to cold showers does not consistently affect salivary testosterone levels in young adult male athletes. Future studies should examine the minimum number of cold shower exposures needed to improve salivary testosterone levels in athletes and investigate the small effects.