Case Study: Temple University Football & Rx Sports

Use of Rx Sports Warming and Cooling Topical under the direction of Dr. Zac White, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS – 2025–2026 Football Season

Executive Summary

Temple University’s football program partnered with Rx Sports during the 2025–2026 season to pilot the use of the company’s advanced CBD-based Warming and Cooling Topical for athlete recovery and pain management. Under the leadership of Head Athletic Trainer Dr. Zac White, the initiative aimed to integrate a science-backed, non-systemic solution to support muscle recovery, reduce inflammation, and minimize reliance on NSAIDs. This collaboration highlights the effectiveness, safety, and athlete satisfaction achieved through innovative sports wellness solutions.

Objectives & Rationale

The partnership was established to:
• Improve muscle recovery and joint comfort among high-impact athletes.
• Evaluate the real-world performance of Rx Sports Warming and Cooling Topical in a Division I environment.
• Offer a compliant, topical CBD solution aligned with collegiate athletic standards.
• Collect feedback and performance data to guide future wellness protocols.

Methodology & Implementation

Dr. White and his athletic training staff identified players, linemen, linebackers, and running backs, experiencing consistent soreness or joint stiffness. Participants applied for Rx Sports Warming and Cooling Topical daily Pre-practice, intra-practice, post-practice and the same on game days (as needed). The product was incorporated into Temple’s existing recovery workflow, complementing modalities like cryotherapy, compression, and stretching.

Athletes reported weekly pain and soreness self-assessments while medical staff documented informally on usage via EMR charting. No systemic ingestion occurred, and usage remained within NCAA and institutional guidelines for topical CBD applications.

Outcomes & Findings

Over the course of the season, the Rx Sports topical demonstrated high compliance and positive feedback among participating athletes:
• 90% Repeated users with one or more products.
• 80% of athletes reported decreased soreness within 24 hours of use.
• 90% of athletes reported effects of application lasted duration of practice or lifting activities. Second applications were needed for competition days due to team on field.
• Athletes noted improved pain and stiffness with motion after and during intense sessions.
• No adverse skin reactions or policy conflicts were observed.

These findings indicate that Rx Sports’ topical formulation can serve as a safe, effective addition to traditional recovery protocols in collegiate athletics.

Athlete & Staff Testimonials

“After a Saturday game, I used the Rx Sports Warming and Cooling Topical on both quads before bed, by Sunday morning, the usual tightness was noticeably less.”
— Temple University Linebacker, 2025 Season

“Our players appreciated how fast it absorbed and how it fit into our established treatment workflow. We saw fewer next-day soreness complaints, which is a clear win.”
— Dr. Zac White, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS, Head Athletic Trainer, Temple University Football

Challenges & Lessons Learned

Individual responses to CBD-based topicals can vary.
• Environmental and load factors (travel, practice intensity) affect perceived outcomes.
• Expanded trials with placebo controls would strengthen quantitative validation.
• Future programs should incorporate controlled comparisons across positions and usage frequency.
• Future trials should incorporate standardized PROs (Patient Reported Outcomes) for consistent tracking of results.

Conclusion

The Temple University/Rx Sports partnership exemplifies how athletic programs and sports wellness innovators can jointly elevate recovery and performance. The 2025–2026 season’s outcomes underscore the potential of CBD-infused topicals to improve athlete well-being, reduce muscle fatigue, and support evidence-based sports medicine strategies.