The use of the foam roller as a recovery strategy after successive high-intensity exercise blocks on the performance of taekwondo athletes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of using myofascial release exercises using a foam roller shortly after the completion of high-intensity taekwondo exercises. Five athletes (median (25^th e 75^th percentiles): age: 24 (20-29) years; practice time: 12 (9-13) years) were evaluated on two occasions (median (25^th e 75^th percentiles). The multiple series of frequency speed of kick test (FSKT_mult) was performed four times with a 40 min of rest interval between them. In the experimental condition, four exercises were performed using the foam roller and the hamstring, gluteus, iliotibial band, and quadriceps muscles were selected. The stimulation time on each muscle was 2 min and 30s divided into five sets of 30s by 30s of rest interval between sets. The session had a total volume of ~20 min. Then the athlete performed a 10 min passive rest followed by a 10 min warm-up (non-standardized) before performing the next FSKT_mult series. During the control condition, the athletes performed a passive rest for 30 min, the other procedures were the same as the experimental condition. The variables measured were the total number of kicks delivered during the FSKT_mult, jumping height, heart rate, rating of perceived recovery and rating of perceived exertion. No significant differences were identified in the analyzed variables (p>0.05). New investigations about strategies that can cause positive acute changes in the physical performance of taekwondo athletes are needed.