Deciphering recovery paradigms: Foam rolling's impact on DOMS and lactate dynamics in elite volleyball athletes

Abstract

This study examines the effects of Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) techniques on post-exercise recovery in elite volleyball athletes. Through a controlled investigation involving eighteen Chinese Men's National Volleyball Team athletes, the research assessed the impact of foam rolling (FR) versus passive recovery (PAS) on blood lactate clearance and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), as measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. Findings indicated that FR significantly reduces VAS scores and facilitates lactate clearance when compared to PAS, suggesting foam rolling may enhance post-exercise recovery. While confirming foam rolling's benefits, this research calls for further exploration into recovery mechanisms, emphasizing a cautious interpretation of foam rolling as part of a comprehensive recovery strategy.

Keywords: Blood lactate clearance; DOMS; Foam rolling; SMR; VAS.

Fig. 1

Warm-Up program. Note: All participants adhered to the following warm-up regimen.

Fig. 2

Comparative analysis of post-exercise lactate clearance in FR and PAS (95%CI). Note: The graph depicts the changes in lactate levels over time for the Foam Rolling (FR) group (blue line) and the Passive Activity (PAS) group (orange line), with the shaded areas representing the confidence intervals. An initial rise in lactate levels is observed immediately post-exercise, indicated by the 'LA IAT' time point, followed by a decrease during recovery in both groups. Asterisks (*) signify the time points where a significant increase in lactate levels was detected post-exercise. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Fig. 3

Key data analysis of lactate and VAS in FR and PAS groups(95%CI) Note: Data points for the FR and PAS groups across various types of measurements. Each measurement type, such as resting lactate levels (LA rest), lactate levels at different time points (LA), and the VAS values at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, is represented by scatter points at distinct positions along the x-axis.

Fig. 4

Temporal trends in VAS scores for FR and PAS groups post-exercise(95%CI). Note: The FR group is depicted in green, while the PAS group is in orange. Significant decreases in VAS scores for the FR group, indicating a reduction in DOMS, are marked with red asterisks at the 48-h and 72-h time points. These markers signify where the study observed statistically significant differences in pain reduction, with p-values of 0.018 and 0.020, respectively. The shaded areas around the lines represent the standard deviation, providing a sense of the variability within each group. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)