Effects of Post-Match Foam Rolling, Static Stretching, and Passive Rest on Acute Cardiac-Autonomic, Hemodynamic, and Neuromuscular Recovery in National Wrestlers

NCT ID: NCT07305506

Last Updated: 2025-12-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

16 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-01-09

Study Completion Date

2024-02-25

Brief Summary

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This study looks at three common ways athletes recover after a wrestling match: foam rolling, static stretching, and resting. We want to learn which method helps the body recover better in the short time that athletes often have between matches.

Sixteen national-level wrestlers will take part in the study. Each participant will complete all three recovery methods on different days. Before and after each match and recovery session, researchers will measure heart activity, blood pressure, and jump performance. Heart activity is measured through heart rate variability, which shows how well the body's nervous system responds to stress.

The purpose of this study is to find out which recovery method helps the body return to normal faster. The results may help athletes and coaches choose the best recovery strategy during competitions.

Detailed Description

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This study investigates the acute effects of three practical post-match recovery strategies-foam rolling (FR), static stretching (SS), and passive rest (PR)-on cardiac-autonomic, hemodynamic, and neuromuscular recovery in national-level male wrestlers following a maximal-effort freestyle wrestling match. Wrestling involves high-intensity intermittent actions that substantially elevate cardiovascular and metabolic stress, often requiring athletes to recover rapidly between multiple matches during tournaments. Despite the importance of rapid short-term recovery, limited research has examined accessible, equipment-free recovery methods that can be applied within competition settings.

The study uses a randomized controlled crossover design in which each participant completes all three recovery protocols on separate days. Following a standardized warm-up and a maximal 2×3-min wrestling match, participants perform one of the three 9-min recovery interventions. FR and SS target the same major muscle groups of the lower limbs and upper posterior chain. PR consists of lying supine without movement. Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance are assessed at four time points: pre-match, immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery.

HRV is recorded using a validated chest-strap heart rate monitor and analyzed with Kubios HRV software to obtain Mean-RR, RMSSD, and SDNN as indicators of cardiac-autonomic modulation. Hemodynamic recovery is evaluated through automated brachial systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure measurements. Neuromuscular recovery is assessed through CMJ height and estimated peak power using an Optojump system and the Sayers equation. All measurements are performed under controlled environmental conditions and standardized protocols.

The study includes national-level freestyle wrestlers with at least five years of competitive experience and no recent injuries or cardiovascular contraindications. A priori power analysis determined that 16 participants provide adequate power (\>80%) to detect meaningful differences. All participants complete familiarization before the experimental visits, and all match and recovery protocols follow official wrestling competition procedures.

The primary purpose of this study is to compare whether FR or SS can enhance cardiac-autonomic or hemodynamic recovery relative to PR without compromising neuromuscular performance. Secondary aims include identifying whether either modality facilitates parasympathetic reactivation or BP normalization during the first 10 minutes following completion of the recovery protocol. The findings may inform coaches, sport scientists, and athletes about the practicality and acute effectiveness of common recovery practices used during wrestling tournaments.

Conditions

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Cardiac-autonomic, Hemodynamic, and Neuromuscular Recovery After Wrestling Matches

Keywords

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Wrestling Recovery Foam rolling Static stretching Passive rest Heart rate variability Blood pressure Anaerobic power Neuromuscular performance Countermovement jump Combat sports Cardiac autonomic modulation

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Foam Rolling

Participants perform the 9-minute foam rolling recovery protocol immediately after the simulated match.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Foam Rolling

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants perform a 9-minute foam rolling protocol immediately after the simulated match. Six bilateral muscle groups are targeted: calves, shins, hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteals, and upper back. Each exercise consists of 2 × 30-second rolling per limb, with 30 seconds of rest between exercises and sets. Movements are performed at a metronome-controlled pace (2 seconds up, 2 seconds down). A high-density foam roller (6 × 36 in) is used, and a researcher provides technique supervision throughout.

Static Stretching

Participants perform the 9-minute static stretching recovery protocol immediately after the simulated match.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Static Stretching

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants perform a 9-minute static stretching routine targeting the same muscle groups as the foam rolling protocol. Each stretch consists of 2 × 30-second holds per limb, with 30 seconds of rest between exercises and sets. Stretches are performed to the point of mild discomfort but without pain. No partner assistance is used, and a researcher supervises to ensure correct technique.

Passive Rest

Participants rest supine for 9 minutes immediately after the simulated match; this serves as a control comparator.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Foam Rolling

Participants perform a 9-minute foam rolling protocol immediately after the simulated match. Six bilateral muscle groups are targeted: calves, shins, hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteals, and upper back. Each exercise consists of 2 × 30-second rolling per limb, with 30 seconds of rest between exercises and sets. Movements are performed at a metronome-controlled pace (2 seconds up, 2 seconds down). A high-density foam roller (6 × 36 in) is used, and a researcher provides technique supervision throughout.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Static Stretching

Participants perform a 9-minute static stretching routine targeting the same muscle groups as the foam rolling protocol. Each stretch consists of 2 × 30-second holds per limb, with 30 seconds of rest between exercises and sets. Stretches are performed to the point of mild discomfort but without pain. No partner assistance is used, and a researcher supervises to ensure correct technique.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* being freestyle wrestlers,
* holding an active wrestling license for at least 5 years
* possessing at least a C-level National Athlete Certificate (having represented Turkey in at least one international senior wrestling tournament organized by United World Wrestling),
* having trained regularly for the last 12 months,
* having had no injuries in the past 12 months.

Exclusion Criteria

* having any cardiovascular health issues
* using medications or substances affecting the respiratory or cardiovascular system
* using ergogenic dietary supplements (e.g., creatine, caffeine)
* having a resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

24 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Ali Kamil GÜNGÖR

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ali Kamil GÜNGÖR

PhD

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ali Kamil Güngör, Phd

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Uludağ university

Locations

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Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Bursa, Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Laborde S, Wanders J, Mosley E, Javelle F. Influence of physical post-exercise recovery techniques on vagally-mediated heart rate variability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2024 Jan;44(1):14-35. doi: 10.1111/cpf.12855. Epub 2023 Oct 2.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 37754676 (View on PubMed)

D'Amico A, Gillis J, McCarthy K, Leftin J, Molloy M, Heim H, Burke C. FOAM ROLLING AND INDICES OF AUTONOMIC RECOVERY FOLLOWING EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020 May;15(3):429-440.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 32566379 (View on PubMed)

Behm DG, Chaouachi A. A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Nov;111(11):2633-51. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-1879-2. Epub 2011 Mar 4.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 21373870 (View on PubMed)

Behm DG, Blazevich AJ, Kay AD, McHugh M. Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016 Jan;41(1):1-11. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0235. Epub 2015 Dec 8.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26642915 (View on PubMed)

Healey KC, Hatfield DL, Blanpied P, Dorfman LR, Riebe D. The effects of myofascial release with foam rolling on performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Jan;28(1):61-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182956569.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 23588488 (View on PubMed)

Pickering TG, Hall JE, Appel LJ, Falkner BE, Graves J, Hill MN, Jones DW, Kurtz T, Sheps SG, Roccella EJ. Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals: part 1: blood pressure measurement in humans: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research. Circulation. 2005 Feb 8;111(5):697-716. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000154900.76284.F6.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 15699287 (View on PubMed)

Heart rate variability: standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. Circulation. 1996 Mar 1;93(5):1043-65. No abstract available.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 8598068 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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approval code: 2023-21/18

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

BUU-WRESTLING-RECOVERY-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id