Abstract
Supporting post-exercise recovery requires choosing not only the right treatment but also the equipment, in which the impact is not always clear. The study aimed to determine the effect of foam rolling on the rate of lactate removal and DOMS prevention and whether the type of foam roller is effective in the context of post-exercise recovery. This randomized trial enrolled 33 active healthy males divided into three groups of eleven individuals: foam rolling with a smooth (STH) or grid roller (GRID) or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants performed full squat jumps for one minute. Examination took place at rest (thermal imaging of skin temperature-[Tsk] and blood lactate-[LA]), immediately following exercise (Tsk & LA), immediately after recovery treatment (Tsk) and after 30 minutes of rest (Tsk & LA). Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after exercise. The magnitude of lactate decrease depended on the type of recovery used. In the PAS group, the decrease in lactate concentration by 2.65 mmol/L following a half-hour rest was significantly lower than that in the other groups (STH vs. PAS p = 0.042 / GRID vs. PAS p = 0.025). For thermal responses, significant differences between both experimental groups were noted only 30 minutes after exercise. A significant decrease in pain in the STH group occurred between 48 and 96 hours, while the GRID group showed a systematic significant decrease in VAS values in subsequent measurements. Changes in VAS values in subsequent measurements in the PAS group were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Foam rolling seems to be effective for enhancing lactate clearance and counteracting DOMS, but the type of foam roller does not seem to influence the recovery rate.
Highlights
During intense exercise, human muscles produce and release large quantities of lactate (LA) while at the same time using it as a potential source of energy for further work [1]
Foam rolling seems to be effective for enhancing lactate clearance and counteracting DOMS, but the type of foam roller does not seem to influence the recovery rate
Most of them are based on improving blood flow, which can be done by different methods of stimulation
Summary
Human muscles produce and release large quantities of lactate (LA) while at the same time using it as a potential source of energy for further work [1]. Most effective methods of lactate clearance during recovery and their impact on performance have attracted the attention of sports scientists and practitioners. Despite many post-exercise recovery treatments, only a few are considered effective. Some examples of the methods used for improving recovery include stretching, massage, ice massage and cold water immersion, transcutaneous muscle stimulation, kinesiotaping, music therapy, low-intensity exercise, and recovery using pharmacological agents [3, 4, 5]. Most of them are based on improving blood flow, which can be done by different methods of stimulation (e.g., temperature, mechanical impact, muscle movements)
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