Effects of roller massager on muscle recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences 2018-01, Vol.36 (1), p.56-63
• Main Authors: Casanova, Nuno, Reis, Joana F., Vaz, João R., Machado, Rita, Mendes, Bruno, Button, Duane C., Pezarat-Correia, Pedro, Freitas, Sandro R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ankle; Ankle Injuries - pathology; Ankle Injuries - physiopathology; Ankle Injuries - therapy; Ankle Joint - physiopathology; Contraction; Delayed onset muscle soreness increase; Female; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Male; Massage - instrumentation; Massage - methods; Morphology; Muscle contraction; muscle morphology; muscle oxygenation; Muscle recovery; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Muscle, Skeletal - injuries; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Myalgia - pathology; Myalgia - physiopathology; Myalgia - therapy; Oxygen Consumption; Oxygenation; Pain; pain pressure threshold; Pain Threshold - physiology; Plantar flexion; Pressure; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Recovery (Medical); Young Adult
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1280609

Two experiments (n = 10) were conducted to determine the effects of roller massager (RM) on ankle plantar flexor muscle recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Experiment 1 examined both functional [i.e., ankle plantar flexion maximal isometric contraction and submaximal (30%) sustained force; ankle dorsiflexion maximal range of motion and resistance to stretch; and medial gastrocnemius pain pressure threshold] and morphological [cross-sectional area, thickness, fascicle length, and fascicle angle] variables, before and immediately, 1, 24, 48, and 72 h after an EIMD stimulus. Experiment 2 examined medial gastrocnemius deoxyhaemoglobin concentration kinetics before and 48 h after EIMD. Participants performed both experiments twice: with (RM) and without (no-roller massager; NRM) the application of a RM (6 × 45 s; 20-s rest between sets). RM intervention did not alter the functional impairment after EIMD, as well as the medial gastrocnemius morphology and oxygenation kinetics (P > 0.05). Although, an acute increase of ipsilateral (RM = + 19%, NRM = −5%, P = 0.032) and a strong tendency for contralateral (P = 0.095) medial gastrocnemius pain pressure threshold were observed. The present results suggest that a RM has no effect on plantar flexors performance, morphology, and oxygenation recovery after EIMD, except for muscle pain pressure threshold (i.e., a soreness).