Comparison of Interventional Strategies to Improve Recovery after Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of various recovery techniques on muscle tissue after eccentric exercise-induced muscle fatigue (EIMF). Forty subjects (24.3 ± 2.6 years; 77.45 ± 8.3 kg; 177.0 ± 6.4 cm; 24.66 ± 1.6 kg∙m^-2) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: manual therapy (n =10, MT), mechanical vibration (n = 10, MV), percussion therapy (n = 10, PT) or foam roller (n = 10, FR). The contraction time (Tc) and the radial displacement (Dm) of the gastrocnemius was evaluated through tensiomyography (TMG). The application of the different techniques had positive effects for Tc and Dm in the treated leg compared to the untreated leg (F = 50.01, p < 0.01, η²p = 0.58 and F = 27.58, p < 0.01, η²p = 0.43, respectively) and for the interaction of the factors (Time x Leg x Therapy: F = 5.76, p < 0.01, η²p = 0.32 and F = 5.93, p < 0.01, η²p = 0.33, respectively). The results of the various methods used were similar: Tc (F = 0.17, p = 0.917; η²p = 0.01) and Dm (F = 3.30, p = 0.031, η²p = 0.22). PT interventions show potential for restoring muscle compliance and reducing stiffness, similar to MT and possibly more effective (cost-time relationship) compared to MV or FR.

Keywords: fascia; injury prevention; muscle contraction; musculoskeletal manipulations; myalgia; range of motion.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of study participants and experimental design.

Figure 2

Tc changes in the untreated (A) and treated (B) leg in the different groups. Dm changes in the untreated (C) and treated (D) leg in the different groups. Marginal means expressed in ms and mm for Tc and Dm, respectively. The error bar indicates the 95% confidence interval for the marginal means.