🆕
Research paper published in Sports
A research group consisting of Kazuki Kasahara from Mitsuyodo Hospital (completed Physiotherapy in 2023), Keita Oneyama (4th-year student in Health and Sports Science) and Takeru Ito (4th-year student in Health and Sports Science) from Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Lecturer Genta Ochi from the same university, and Associate Professor Masatoshi Nakamura from Nishikyushu University has revealed that a short-duration foam rolling intervention is effective in aiding recovery from elevated blood lactate levels after intense exercise. This study was published on November 8, 2024, in the international journal Sports, specializing in sports science.
Abstract
For athletes, quick recovery from fatigue following intense exercise is essential for enhanced performance. This study examined the immediate effects of foam rolling interventions immediately after exercise on recovery from elevated blood lactate levels, an indirect marker of muscle fatigue. Results demonstrated that performing foam rolling for four minutes after intense exercise effectively lowered blood lactate levels compared to simply resting. Additionally, individuals who experienced greater reductions in blood lactate levels also showed shorter reaction times in cognitive function tasks, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive recovery post-exercise. Future research is expected to further apply these findings to develop effective recovery methods, enabling athletes to perform at their best during competitions and training.
Research Methods and Results
While peripheral blood lactate is not a direct cause of fatigue, it is considered an indirect marker of muscle fatigue as it exhibits changes similar to factors like metabolic acidosis. In this study, the researchers aimed to verify the effectiveness of foam rolling in lowering blood lactate levels as an indicator of muscle fatigue recovery. Eighteen healthy adults participated in a progressive load exercise test to the point of exhaustion, followed by either a four-minute foam rolling intervention (Figure 1) or rest as a control condition. Results indicated that blood lactate levels, which had risen after the progressive load exercise, significantly decreased following foam rolling compared to the rest condition (Figure 2). Additionally, individuals who showed a greater reduction in blood lactate also exhibited improved cognitive task response times, indicating a correlation with cognitive recovery.
Key Findings of the Research
- Peripheral blood lactate following intense exercise serves as an indirect marker of muscle fatigue onset, and lactate clearance is an indicator of recovery from muscle fatigue.
- A four-minute foam rolling intervention after exhausting exercise accelerated the clearance of peripheral blood lactate, promoting faster recovery from muscle fatigue.
- Participants with faster lactate clearance following foam rolling also demonstrated shorter reaction times in cognitive tasks, suggesting its potential effectiveness in recovery from cognitive fatigue.
- Foam rolling can be performed quickly and in any setting, making it a practical method for addressing muscle fatigue.
Research Support
This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 22K17739) and the Niigata University of Health and Welfare Research Grant.
Original Article Information
Title: Foam rolling intervention improves lactate clearance after high-intensity exercise
Authors: Kazuki Kasahara¹, Keita Koneyama², Takumi Ito², Masatoshi Nakamura³, Genta Ochi²,⁴*
1.Mitsuyodo Hospital, 2.Faculty of Health Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 3.Faculty of Rehabilitation, Nishikyushu University, 4.Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare (*Corresponding author)
Published in: Sports