contrast water therapy? Is contrast a verb here? What does it mean then?

The contrast being between alternating hot and cold water.

Its a verb: ..... athletes ...... contrast water therapy (alternating between cold water and warmer water)......

Is it a verb? Or a noun here?

Quote:

Is it a verb? Or a noun here?

"Contrast" in your example is an adjective describing "water therapy".

Or you could take "contrast water therapy" as a noun phrase.

some athletes use and contrast water therapy

Either is acceptable as "water therapy" - both hot and cold water or "water therapies" - both hot water therapy and cold water therapy. The "therapies" option suggests that the therapies are different beyond just the temperature of the water ie minerals, force of circulation, time exposure etc.

Should "and" be deleted?

In addition to the ice bath, some athletes use and contrast water therapy (alternating between cold water and warmer water) to get the same effect.

The "and" is an error

oristarA wrote:

Should "and" be deleted?

Yes.

Original:

Quote:

In addition to the ice bath, some athletes use and contrast water therapy (alternating between cold water and warmer water) to get the same effect.

Rewritten:

In addition to the ice bath, some athletes use "contrast water therapy" (alternating between cold water and warmer water) to get the same effect.

The "and" is an error. Hasty editing probably. Contrast water therapy, contrast hydrotherapy, contrast bathing are alternative names for the treatment.

This study examined the effect of contrast water therapy (CWT) on the physiological and functional symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness