Why Percussive Massage Therapy Does Not Improve Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Preliminary Study with Lifeguards

doi:10.3390/healthcare10040693

. 2022 Apr 7;10(4):693.

doi: 10.3390/healthcare10040693.

Why Percussive Massage Therapy Does Not Improve Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Preliminary Study with Lifeguards

Alejandra Alonso-Calvete^{1

2}, Miguel Lorenzo-Martínez¹, Alexandra Pérez-Ferreirós¹, Antonio Couso-Bruno¹, Eloy Carracedo-Rodríguez¹, Martín Barcala-Furelos³, Roberto Barcala-Furelos¹, Alexis Padrón-Cabo⁴

Affiliations

¹ REMOSS Research Group, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte, Universidade de Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain.
² Facultade de Fisioterapia, Universidade de Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain.
³ Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain.
⁴ Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruña, 15179 A Coruña, Spain.

PMID: 35455870
PMCID: PMC9031405
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10040693

Why Percussive Massage Therapy Does Not Improve Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Preliminary Study with Lifeguards

Alejandra Alonso-Calvete et al. Healthcare (Basel). 2022.

. 2022 Apr 7;10(4):693.

doi: 10.3390/healthcare10040693.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ REMOSS Research Group, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte, Universidade de Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain.
² Facultade de Fisioterapia, Universidade de Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain.
³ Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain.
⁴ Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruña, 15179 A Coruña, Spain.

PMID: 35455870
PMCID: PMC9031405
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10040693

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of percussive massage therapy (PMT) on lifeguards’ recovery after a water rescue, in comparison with passive recovery. Methods: A quasi-experimental crossover design was conducted to compare passive recovery (PR) and a PMT protocol. A total of 14 volunteer lifeguards performed a simulated 100 m water rescue and perceived fatigue and blood lactate were measured as recovery variables after the rescue and after the 8-min recovery process. Results: There were no differences between PMT and PR in lactate clearance (p > 0.05), finding in both modalities a small but not significant decrease in blood lactate. In perceived fatigue, both methods decreased this variable significantly (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between them (p > 0.05). Conclusions: PMT does not enhance recovery after a water rescue, in comparison with staying passive. Despite PMT appearing to be adequate for recovery in other efforts, it is not recommended for lifeguards’ recovery after a water rescue.

Keywords: drowning; extra-hospital care; lifesaving; recovery modalities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Flow chart outlining the design, intervention and variables.

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[1] Hendricks S., Hill H., Hollander S., den Lombard W., Parker R. Effects of foam rolling on performance and recovery: A systematic review of the literature to guide practitioners on the use of foam rolling. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2020;24:151–174. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.10.019. - DOI - PubMed

[2] Hendricks S., Hill H., Hollander S., den Lombard W., Parker R. Effects of foam rolling on performance and recovery: A systematic review of the literature to guide practitioners on the use of foam rolling. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2020;24:151–174. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.10.019. - DOI - PubMed

[3] Skinner B., Moss R., Hammond L. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the effects of foam rolling on range of motion, recovery and markers of athletic performance. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2020;24:105–122. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.01.007. - DOI - PubMed

[4] Skinner B., Moss R., Hammond L. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the effects of foam rolling on range of motion, recovery and markers of athletic performance. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2020;24:105–122. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.01.007. - DOI - PubMed

[5] Stanek J.M., Dodd D.J., Kelly A.R., Wolfe A.M., Swenson R.A. Active duty firefighters can improve Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores following an 8-week individualized client workout program. Work. 2017;56:213–220. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172493. - DOI - PubMed

[6] Stanek J.M., Dodd D.J., Kelly A.R., Wolfe A.M., Swenson R.A. Active duty firefighters can improve Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores following an 8-week individualized client workout program. Work. 2017;56:213–220. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172493. - DOI - PubMed

[7] Cocke C., Dawes J., Orr R.M. The Use of 2 Conditioning Programs and the Fitness Characteristics of Police Academy Cadets. J. Athl. Train. 2016;51:887–896. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-51.8.06. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[8] Cocke C., Dawes J., Orr R.M. The Use of 2 Conditioning Programs and the Fitness Characteristics of Police Academy Cadets. J. Athl. Train. 2016;51:887–896. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-51.8.06. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[9] Barcala-Furelos R., González-Represas A., Rey E., Martínez-Rodríguez A., Kalén A., Marques O., Rama L. Is Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation a Tool for Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Cross-Over Study with Lifeguards. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2020;17:5854. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17165854. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[10] Barcala-Furelos R., González-Represas A., Rey E., Martínez-Rodríguez A., Kalén A., Marques O., Rama L. Is Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation a Tool for Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Cross-Over Study with Lifeguards. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2020;17:5854. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17165854. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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Why Percussive Massage Therapy Does Not Improve Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Preliminary Study with Lifeguards

Affiliations

Why Percussive Massage Therapy Does Not Improve Recovery after a Water Rescue? A Preliminary Study with Lifeguards

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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References

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