Effect of Foam Roll recovery method on performance in water polo players: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThis intervention study aimed to evaluate how the use of Foam Roller (FR) as a recovery strategy affects water polo performance after a seven-week (28-session) program.DesignA randomized controlled trial.MethodsThirty water polo players (14 male amateur players and 16 female sub-elite players) were assigned by means of sealed opaque envelopes to the control group (CG) or Foam Roller Group (FRG) and performed the same total number and intensity of training sessions. Test protocols were performed before (pretest), in-test (week 5), and after the intervention period (posttest). These included water polo-specific performance tests such as in-water boost, throwing speed, and 20 m sprint swimming tests. In addition, during the intervention, heart rate (HR), the scale of perceived exertion of the session (sRPE), and total quality recovery scale (TQR) data were recorded.ResultsThere were no differences in the baseline values in any of the variables analyzed between CG and FRG. A small decrease in in-water boost was observed in CG (-2%, ES = -0.35 [-0.95: 0.26], p = 0.016, very likely small) and in FRG (-2%, ES = -0.33 [-0.93: 0.27], p = 0.021, likely small). No significant changes were found in either the 20 m swim test or the throwing test in CG and FRG. No clear differences among groups and weeks were found in sRPE, TQR and HR.ConclusionThe findings indicate that the use of FR as a recovery tool after training and matches is not useful in water polo players.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of using a foam roller as a recovery tool on water polo performance. The findings showed that using a foam roller after training and matches did not benefit water polo players.