ASE 2026 Research Spotlight 5

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Contact: Natalie Costantino
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ASE 2026 Research Spotlight: What Happens to the Heart During Extreme Cold Recovery Therapy?

(DURHAM, N.C., June 25, 2026)—As the world watches elite soccer players compete on the sport’s biggest stage during the FIFA World Cup, many fans may wonder how athletes recover between intense training sessions and matches. One increasingly popular strategy among competitive athletes and fitness enthusiasts is whole-body cryotherapy, where the body is briefly exposed to extremely cold air in a specialized chamber intended to support muscle recovery and reduce inflammation.

New research to be presented at the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) 2026 Scientific Sessions examined how the heart and lungs of professional soccer players from Inter Miami FC responded to this extreme cold exposure.

In the study, “Acute Cardiopulmonary Effects of Extreme Cold Through Whole Body Cryotherapy in Competitive Athletes,” researchers prospectively evaluated 28 professional soccer players who underwent a two- to three-minute whole-body cryotherapy session at temperatures reaching -166°F. In addition to comprehensive cardiovascular and pulmonary assessments immediately before and after exposure, each participant also underwent vital sign measurements, transthoracic echocardiography, and lung ultrasound imaging.

Investigators found no evidence that cryotherapy negatively affected heart function. The heart’s overall pumping ability remained stable and there were no signs of pulmonary congestion, or fluid buildup in the lungs, detected before or after exposure. While researchers observed a small reduction in left ventricular strain, measurements remained within normal ranges. Heart rate decreased following cryotherapy, while blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and other vital signs remained unchanged.

“We found that a brief exposure to extreme cold was generally well tolerated and did not appear to adversely affect heart or lung function in these athletes,” said presenting author Dr. Eduardo Filipini, medical director of CardioPatagonia Medical Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “As recovery therapies become increasingly popular both within and beyond professional sports, it is important to generate evidence that helps athletes, medical teams, and sports organizations make informed decisions.”

ASE 2026 will feature more than 500 abstract presentations showcasing cutting-edge research on the latest advances in cardiovascular ultrasound and cases illustrating breakthroughs in patient care. This abstract will be presented as a poster session at ASE 2026 on Saturday, June 27, at the Gaylord Rockies Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. Learn more about ASE 2026 and view all research abstracts in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.

About American Society of Echocardiography
The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is the Society for Cardiovascular Ultrasound Professionals™. ASE is the largest global organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging serving physicians, sonographers, nurses, veterinarians, and scientists and as such is the leader and advocate, setting practice standards and guidelines for the field. The Society is committed to advancing cardiovascular ultrasound to improve lives. For more information, visit the ASE website ASEcho.org or social media pages on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky.

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