Comparison of the Effect of Passive and Active Recovery, and Self-Myofascial Release Exercises on Lactate Removal and Total Quality of Recovery

Abstract

Recovery from exercise-induced fatigue is crucial for subsequent performance. Self-myofascial release (SMR) using a foam roller is an alternative to active recovery (AR). This study aims to compare the effects of passive recovery (PR), AR, and SMR on blood lactate [La^-] removal and total quality of recovery (TQR). Twenty-two well trained male athletes (age: 22.6±2.9 years) underwent three testing sessions conducted 72 hours apart but at the same time of each day in a randomized order. After determining resting [La^-] and heart rate (HR), the subjects completed a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), triggering muscular fatigue. HR and [La^-] were measured threeminutes after the WAnT, following which the subjects underwent one of the three different recovery interventions over 15 minutes: PR (lying supine), AR (cycling at 40% of the estimated maximum HR of the respective subject), and SMR (using foam roller on lower extremity muscles). After each recovery intervention, [La^-], HR, and TQR were measured. There was no statistically significant difference in [La^-] and HR values obtained before the WAnT test (p=0.368, p=0.691, respectively) and right after the WAnT test (0.264, p=0.629) Both AR and SMR were more effective than PR for [La^-] removal and obtaining a higher TQR (p<0.001). However, SMR and AR were not superior to one another for blood [La^-] removal (p>0.05). In contrast, a significantly higher TQR was observed with SMR than AR and PR (p<0.001). Athletes can apply AR or SMR to recover from strenuous exercise. SMR can be an alternative to PR and AR as a recovery tool.