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

NCT07305506 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: BUU-WRESTLING-RECOVERY-2025approval code: 2023-21/18
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Cardiac Autonomic Function; Neuromuscular Adaptations; Exercise and Recovery; Hemodynamic Changes

Keywords

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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences) - heart rate variability

  RMSSD will be derived from R-R interval recordings to assess short-term cardiac-parasympathetic modulation and acute autonomic recovery following each post-match recovery intervention.

  Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery

• Mean RR and SDNN - heart rate variability

  Mean RR (average R-R interval) and SDNN (standard deviation of normal R-R intervals) will be calculated from R-R recordings to characterize overall autonomic modulation across time points.

  Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Brachial Blood Pressure (SBP, DBP, MAP)

  Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) height and peak power

  Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery

Study Arms (3)

Foam Rolling

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Procedure: Foam Rolling

Static Stretching

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Procedure: Static Stretching

Passive Rest

NO INTERVENTION

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

Interventions

Foam Rolling 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.

Foam Rolling

Static Stretching 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.

Static Stretching

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ali Kamil GÜNGÖR: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Bursa, Bursa, 16000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (7)

• 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.

  PMID: 37754676 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 32566379 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 21373870 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 26642915 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 23588488 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 15699287 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 8598068 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Muscle Stretching Exercises

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Ali Kamil Güngör, Phd

  Uludağ university

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2025
• First Posted: December 26, 2025
• Study Start: January 9, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 25, 2024
• Study Completion: February 25, 2024
• Last Updated: December 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)