The Effect Of Percussive Massage Versus Foam Rolling On Recovery Between Two 91 Meter Swims

Abstract

Swim competition often requires repeat bouts of the same event, as well as several different events for each swimmer. Multiple events during the competition may influence subsequent outcomes, thus various strategies are employed to enhance recovery and reduce fatigue. The search for the optimal recovery is never ending. Two of the more popular recovery techniques include foam rolling massage and percussive massage. There is a paucity of research to support the efficacy of either. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of no massage (NM), foam roller massage (FM) and percussive massage (PM) on repeated swim performance separated by 30 minutes of recovery. METHODS: 8 male and 12 female college-aged swimmers (age: 20.9 ± 2.8 yr., height: 171.7 ± 8.6 cm., weight 70.3 ± 10.9 kg.) volunteered to participate in three 91 meter repeat swim trials. Blood lactate (BL) was measured two minutes pre-swim and three minutes post-swim. A randomized, single blind cross-over application of FM, PM, or NM was conducted between each of the two 91meter maximal velocity swims. For both FM and PM the treatment was applied bilaterally for a total of 16 minutes with 2 minutes per muscle group (calves, hamstring, quadriceps, and upper arms). RESULTS: For the first vs second bout of each trial, male times were 52.3 ± 2.5 vs 52.7 ± 2.7 sec, 52.2 ± 2.7 vs 52.3 ± 2.8 sec, and 52.5 ± 2.3 vs 52.4 ± 2.6 sec and female times were 63.7 ± 3.6 vs 63.9 ± 3.8 sec, 63.4 ± 3.9 vs 63.8 ± 3.8 sec and 63.9 ± 4.0 vs 63.0 ± 3.8 sec for FM, PM, and NM trials, respectively. Statistical analysis by dependent T-test (P<.05) revealed NSD (p>.05) pre vs post between trials, except that the second swim was slower than the first swim in the male FM trials. Mean BL values post first swim were 8.5 ± 3 mmol, 8.8 ± 2.56 mmol, 9.1 ± 2.2 mmol, and pre second swim lactate values were 3.4 ± 1.8 mmol, 3.9 ± 1.6 mmol, 4.0 ± 1.7 mmol for FM, PM, and NM respectively. Statistical analysis of BL by ANOVA revealed no significant difference across all trials (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The mode of recovery did not improve velocity in repeat 91 meter swim bouts or alter the time course for post-swim BL recovery. Supported, in part by a grant from Theragun®.