Recovery of Heart Rate Variability in Handball Players

NCT07648966 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2023-20/71014
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare the acute effects of manual massage (MM) and foam rolling (FR) on heart rate variability (HRV) following a 20 m shuttle run test (20m-SRT) in elite male handball players. It was hypothesized that MM and FR would produce differential acute effects on HRV responses during

Conditions

Heart Rate Control; Recovery Following Exercise

Keywords

recovery; foam rolling; manual massage; handball; autonomic nervous system; heart rate variability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

  HRV was recorded by Polar V800 (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) heart rate monitor and chest strap of Polar H10 transmitter. HRV time-domain (RR, RMSSD, SDNN) and frequency-domain (VLF, LF, HF) markers and heart rate (HR) were recorded and transferred in Polar Flow. Data set normalized by adopting artefact methodology using Kubios HRV Scientific (Tarvainen et al., 2014). Power values were calculated in normalized units (n.u.). HRV recordings were obtained during three phases: pre exercise (10 min supine rest), during exercise and post exercise recovery phases (10 min supine rest. Participants were instructed to maintain spontaneous but stable breathing during recordings.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 60 minutes

• 20 m Shuttle Run Test (VO2max)

  20m-SRT was administered following the protocol of Leger and Lambert (1982). The running pace was controlled by "beep test" audio signals. The test started at a speed of 8.5 km·h-¹, increasing by 0.5 km·h-¹ every minute. Participants were required to cover 20 m at each signal. The test ended when a participant failed to complete the 20 m distance three consecutive times. Estimated VO2max values were calculated using the Leger et al. (1988) formula.

  After warm-up 20m-SRT lasted approximately 12-15 minute

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Height

  1 minute during familiarisation session

• Weight

  1 minute during familiarisation session

• Total Body Fat

  1 minute during familiarisation session

• Body Mass Index

  1 minute during familiarisation session

Study Arms (2)

Manual Massage (MM)

EXPERIMENTAL

After the 20 minute standard warm-up including jogging, jumping and stretching participant performed 20 m Shuttle Run Test (20m-SRT), subsequently legs Manual Massage (MM) recovery intervention lasted 20 minutes. Before warm-up, during 20m-SRT and MM HRV was recorded.

Other: Manul Massage (MM)

Foam Rolling (FR)

EXPERIMENTAL

After the 20 minute standard warm-up including jogging, jumping and stretching participant performed 20 m Shuttle Run Test (20m-SRT), subsequently legs Foam Rolling (FR) recovery intervention lasted 20 minutes. Before warm-up, during 20m-SRT and FR HRV was recorded.

Other: Foam Rolling (FR)

Interventions

Manul Massage (MM) OTHER

MM protocol employed Swedish massage techniques (Hemmings, 2001; Tessier, 2005), including effleurage (light stroking), friction, petrissage (kneading and rolling), vibration and tapotement (light percussion). Massage was applied for 20 minutes total, distributed as: 10 minutes on the right and 10 minutes on the left lower extremity. Posterior lower-extremity massage included the gluteal region, posterior thigh, and calf muscles. Anterior lower-extremity massage included only the quadriceps. Applications were performed from distal to proximal direction using baby oil by certified masseur. Anterior leg massage in a supine position and posterior leg massage in a prone position was applied

Manual Massage (MM)

Foam Rolling (FR) OTHER

A medium density, grid structured foam roller (Blackroll Standard, 33×15×14 cm, PVC polypropylene, Bottighofen, Switzerland) was used. Participants performed self-myofascial release by placing the lower extremities on the foam roller and rolling forward and backward to relax fascia surrounding the muscle with medium pressure. Total duration of FR lasted 20 minutes: 10 minutes left and 10 minutes right lower extremity. Rolling was performed at a controlled cadence (\~30 cycles/min) guided by a metronome with moderate pressure.

Foam Rolling (FR)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• at least 5 years of regular handball training
• participation in at least 10 matches in the past year
• no injury lasting longer than 2 weeks in the past 6 months
• minimum 1 year of experience in the Turkish Handball Super League
• no use of stimulants (ergogenic aids, doping, etc.)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uludag University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bursa uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Bursa, 16059, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Yoshimura A, Sekine Y, Schleip R, Furusyo A, Yamazaki K, Inami T, Murayama M, Hirose N. The acute mechanism of the self-massage-induced effects of using a foam roller. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Jul;27:103-112. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.02.012. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

  PMID: 34391221 BACKGROUND

• Wang W, Shao M, Du W, Xu Y. Impact of exhaustive exercise on autonomic nervous system activity: insights from HRV analysis. Front Physiol. 2024 Dec 3;15:1462082. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1462082. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 39691095 BACKGROUND

• Wagner H, Finkenzeller T, Wurth S, von Duvillard SP. Individual and team performance in team-handball: a review. J Sports Sci Med. 2014 Dec 1;13(4):808-16. eCollection 2014 Dec.

  PMID: 25435773 BACKGROUND

• Rey E, Padron-Cabo A, Costa PB, Barcala-Furelos R. Effects of Foam Rolling as a Recovery Tool in Professional Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Aug;33(8):2194-2201. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002277.

  PMID: 29016479 BACKGROUND

• Kaikkonen P, Rusko H, Martinmaki K. Post-exercise heart rate variability of endurance athletes after different high-intensity exercise interventions. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2008 Aug;18(4):511-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2007.00728.x. Epub 2007 Dec 7.

  PMID: 18067516 BACKGROUND

• Bechke E, Kliszczewicz B, McLester C, Tillman M, Esco M, Lopez R. An examination of single day vs. multi-day heart rate variability and its relationship to heart rate recovery following maximal aerobic exercise in females. Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 8;10(1):14760. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71747-8.

  PMID: 32901083 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr.

Model Details: Study was conducted in three sessions in one week. Fırst session is familiarization, other two sessions are experimental: manual massage (MM) and Foam Rolling (FR) sessions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 3, 2026
• First Posted: June 15, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: July 31, 2025
• Last Updated: June 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)