Does the type of foam roller influence the recovery rate, thermal response and DOMS prevention?

PURPOSE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSIONS: 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.

Assessment of the Health-Related Behaviors of Men Practicing Combat Sports and Martial Arts.

BACKGROUND: Physical activeness is one of the main elements of lifestyle in terms of preventing civilization diseases. The main purpose of this study was to assess the selected health behaviors of men practicing combat sports and martial arts and to find out what features or variables may have an influence one's lifestyle. METHODS: Overall, 561 men aged 17-35 yr were enrolled and divided into three groups. Studies were conducted from March 2011 to June 2015 in Warsaw, Poland. The main research tool was Juczynski's Health Behaviour Inventory. The questionnaire includes 24 statements - descriptions of various health-related attitudes and behaviours - divided into four categories: proper eating habits, preventive behaviours, positive psychical attitude, and health practices. RESULTS: The persons practicing combat sports and martial arts presented the highest level of health behaviours. The result of Group 1 was significantly higher than the result of Group 2 (P=0.05) and Group 3 (P<0.001). The sportsmen from Group 1 obtained the highest result in the category of psychical attitude (3.5), which was similar to the result of the non-active group (3.29). The men belonging to Group 2 rated highest their eating habits (3.37). All groups obtained the lowest results in the category of preventive behaviours. CONCLUSION: The men practicing combat sports and martial arts showed high general level of health behaviours. It may give evidence to the intellectualization of sport and health training process, as well as to the fact of adopting the desired behaviours in everyday life.

The use of thermal imaging to assess the effectiveness of ice massage and cold-water immersion as methods for supporting post-exercise recovery.

Cold water immersion (CWI) and ice massage (IM) are commonly used treatments to prevent the delay onset of muscle soreness (DOMS); however, little is known on their relative benefits and effectiveness to lower tissue temperature. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of IM and CMI on tissue temperature and potential benefit to preventing DOMS. The research encompassed 36 subjects divided into three groups of twelve depending on the form of recovery: ice massage (IM), cold-water immersion (CWI), or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants were asked to jump as high as possible from a full squat for one minute. Thermal imaging was conducted at rest, immediately following the exercise, immediately after the trial, following the recovery treatment, and after 30min of rest. Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After applying the selected method for supporting recovery, the LA level decreased by 4.25mmol/L in the IM group, and by 4.96mmol/L in the CWI group (IM vs. CWI p>0.05). The 2.75mmol/L decrease in lactate concentration in the PAS group was significantly lower than in the other groups (IM vs. PAS p<0.05/ CWI vs. PAS p<0.01). In both groups, Tsk after 30min was significantly lower (ΔTsk~0.5°C) than at rest (p<0.05). In turn, Tsk in the PAS group returned to the resting values (p>0.05). Seventy-two hours after the exercise, a clear decrease in discomfort was observed in the IM and CWI groups compared to the PAS group. The two applied treatments have proven to be effective both in utilizing lactate and preventing DOMS. Depending on training requirements, we recommend the use of IM when athletes experience localized muscle fatigue. One the other hand, CWI is recommended in situations of global or generalized muscle injury or fatigue.

Evaluation of effectiveness of kinesiology taping as an adjunct to rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Preliminary report.

BACKGROUND. Kinesiology Taping (KT) is being increasingly more often used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Kinesiology Taping on rehabilitation outcomes in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study enrolled 26 patients (16 women and 10 men) aged between 20 and 41 years. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (Group 1), which received Kinesiology Taping, and a control group (Group 2), which followed the same rehabilitation protocol except for KT. Student's t test with a minimum significance level at p<0.05 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS. All participants demonstrated a significant improvement in the range of knee flexion and extension in the affected limb as soon as the end of the first week of rehabilitation (p˂0.001). This tendency persisted in the following weeks until Day 28. Thigh measurements revealed a faster increase in thigh circumference in Group 1. Significant swelling reduction was found among patients from the experimental group at all consecutive measurements. The greatest difference (p<0.001) was noted at the beginning of the rehabilitation. After 28 days of rehabilitation, pain intensity and pain frequency had significantly decreased in all patients (p<0.001). Patients from the control group used analgesics significantly more often. CONCLUSIONS. 1. The use of KT contributed to a faster improvement of the range of knee motion, reduction of oedema and greater improvement in thigh circumference. 2. A similar reduction in pain intensity was observed in all patients. However, pain significantly less often forced patients from the experimental group to use analgesics or reduced their activity.