Freezing for Fitness? What Science Says About Cold-Water Immersion

Although ice-cold water exposure may seem extreme, some experts advocate the practice.

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The first polar bear plunge occurred in Vancouver in 1920 by a group called the Polar Bear Club, and the tradition is still going strong.

Polar plunges are events where hardy souls take a dip in icy-cold ocean waters. The events are held yearly in various countries around the world. In the United States, they are often associated with fundraising for charitable organizations, such as the Special Olympics.