The California-based company has partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina to provide its cold plunge and sauna systems for studies on the modalities’ potential health benefits
Saunas and cold plunges are often praised as tools for recovery and mental health, among many other perks. Now, the research behind those potential benefits is getting a serious boost as one of the leading brands enters the academic space.
Contrast therapy brand Plunge has entered a partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to bring its cold plunge and sauna units to new hot and cold therapy research facilities. There, researchers will conduct comprehensive studies on the potential physiological and neurological benefits of cold plunging and contrast therapy.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in bringing a new layer of credibility to the growing field of cold water therapy and the well-established benefits of sauna,” said Plunge co-founder and CEO Ryan Duey.
“In working with MUSC’s distinguished medical researchers, we’re committed to generating evidence-based data that will help people better understand the benefits of both cold immersion and sauna for a range of different scenarios,” Duey said. “We hear first hand about them daily from our customers and we’re excited to have a partner in MUSC to help deepen our understanding of the benefits of these modalities.”
The California-based company will be working closely with the university’s Division of Aerospace and Performance Neurology, where its director, Dr. Mark Rosenberg, will lead the research initiatives.
On MUSC’s Charleston campus, Rosenberg and his team will observe different aspects of cold water immersion and sauna, including their effects on recovery, performance and healthspan.
The partnership follows Plunge’s latest upgrades to its flagship cold plunge system, when it unveiled the re-engineered All-In Gen 2, with faster cooling, improved sanitation, smarter automation and full integration with the Plunge App. The company also makes sauna systems.
“Using cutting-edge technology to measure how the nervous system responds to stress, we aim to better understand how temperature regulation influences strength, mental clarity, and cognitive performance — from pilots and special operators to professional athletes,” Dr. Rosenberg said.
