The science behind our claims

Two runners recovering in a TUNDRA cold plunge after a training session

How we back our claims

Every figure in the research panels on our product pages comes from a published study listed here, with the journal, the year and the number of people studied. Follow the links and read the studies yourself.

10studies and reviews cited
5recovery methods covered
Oct 2026last reviewed
TUNDRA Taiga hot and cold plunge in matte black

Taiga, Tavik, Aurora, Polaris, Yukon, Lena, Oasis, Borealis

Cold water immersion

Less muscle soreness after exercise

A meta-analysis of 9 randomised trials with 169 participants found that cold water immersion after exercise reduced muscle soreness compared with passive rest. The best results came from water at 11 to 15 °C, with 11 to 15 minutes in the water.

Meta-analysisMachado AF et al. Sports Medicine 46(4):503-514, 2016

A lift in mood

In a study of 33 adults, five minutes in 20 °C water raised positive mood scores.

Study, 33 adultsYankouskaya A et al. Biology 12(2):211, 2023

Timing around strength training

A review of 8 studies with 116 participants found that a cold plunge straight after resistance training may slightly reduce muscle growth over time. If building muscle is your goal, leave a few hours between a strength session and a plunge.

Systematic reviewPiñero A et al. European Journal of Sport Science 24(2):177-189, 2024

TUNDRA Equinox full spectrum infrared sauna for two

Equinox, and the infrared mode of Ignis

Infrared sauna

Recovery after strength training

In a randomised crossover trial, 16 athletes used an infrared sauna for 20 minutes at around 43 °C straight after resistance exercise, and on another occasion rested instead. After the sauna, muscle soreness was lower, perceived recovery was higher and jump performance recovered better than after resting.

Randomised trialAhokas EK et al. Biology of Sport 40(3):681-689, 2023

What the Equinox emits: full spectrum heaters covering far and mid infrared, 0.8 to 25 µm, with peak emission at 3.3 µm.
TUNDRA Haven traditional sauna cabin, front view

Haven, Ignis and custom Finnish saunas

Traditional sauna

Heart health over 20 years

A Finnish study followed 2,315 men for a median of about 20 years. Men who used a sauna 4 to 7 times a week had a lower risk of sudden cardiac death than men who used one once a week. This is an observational study, so it shows a link rather than cause and effect.

Cohort, 2,315 menLaukkanen T et al. JAMA Internal Medicine 175:542-548, 2015

The overall evidence

A systematic review of 40 clinical studies with 3,855 participants concluded that regular dry sauna bathing has potential health benefits.

Systematic reviewHussain J, Cohen M. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018:1857413

TUNDRA FLUX compression boots in a recovery session

FLUX

Pneumatic compression

Less perceived soreness

A meta-analysis of 17 studies with 319 participants found that intermittent pneumatic compression may reduce perceived muscle soreness after training.

Meta-analysisMaia F et al. Biology of Sport 41(4):263-275, 2024

Higher pain threshold

In a study of 24 elite athletes, a single 15-minute compression session raised the pressure-pain threshold, and the effect held through the afternoon training session.

Study, 24 athletesSands WA et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 29(5):1263-1272, 2015

TUNDRAGUN in use at the TUNDRA recovery zone, HYROX Bangkok

TUNDRAGUN LUX

Percussion massage

More flexibility, short term

A systematic review of 11 studies with 281 participants found that massage guns can improve short-term range of motion and flexibility.

Systematic reviewFerreira RM et al. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 8(3):138, 2023

Range of motion without strength loss

In a study of 16 men, five minutes of percussive massage on the calf increased ankle range of motion by 5.4 degrees, with no change in maximum strength.

Study, 16 menKonrad A et al. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 19(4):690-694, 2020

Red and near-infrared LEDs: the TUNDRAGUN LUX has built-in 660 nm red and 850 nm near-infrared LEDs. We list these as product features and make no recovery claims for them.

Research, not hype

We cite systematic reviews and controlled trials from peer-reviewed journals. Where a result comes from a single study, we say so.

How it feels

Our product pages also describe how sessions feel, as people commonly report it. Those are personal experiences, not scientifically established effects, and we keep them separate from the research.

Questions about a source?

Write to info@tundra.health. We review this page when new research is published.

TUNDRA products are wellness equipment, not medical devices. If you are pregnant or have a heart, circulatory or other medical condition, speak to your doctor before using cold or heat. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.