Why do athleats take a dip in cold water with ice?

Question

Why do athleats take a dip in cold water with ice?

Answer 1

reduces swelling, numbs the pain.

Answer 2

lowers body temp fast

numbs pains and reduced swelling

prevents heat strokee

Answer 3

Cools the body core temp and reduces the blood flow rate.

Answer 4

The THEORY is it reduces swelling, but ice packs or any immersion is only for injuries to control swelling.  Ice packs should be accompanied by compresson and elevation of the injured part.

What it actually does is reduce blood flow and slow down recovery from exercise.  

Its been tested and proven to be more harm than good, but the false belief persists.

A good warm-up, active recovery to move more blood to the exercise area afterwards, and a light meal within 90 minutes do far more to speed recovery than an ice bath.

At the Olympic level, between events, some athletes will receive massage and light heat alternating with an ice rub to speed recovery, but this is coordinated with trainers and staff with extensive knowledge of advanced exercise physiology, which most coaches do not have.