The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effectiveness of post-exercise massage and cold-water immersion compared to control in young elite swimmers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is post-exercise techniques effective for recovery of the movement variability, , myotonometric, ergometric and perceptive parameters after fatigue? * Can neuromuscular fatigue protocols impair movement variability, myotonometric, ergometric and perceptive parameters? * What tests are reliable to assess different aspects of swimmers' recovery? Researchers will compare massage and cold-water immersion to control and to each other to see if recovery is antecipated. They will also compare an in-water and an out-of-water fatigue protocol to see if they are effective and can be used in different settings. Participants will: * Perform test and retest sessions to assess movement variability, myotonometric, ergometric and perceptive parameters. * Perform an in-water fatigue protocol consisting of 8x100m front-crawl sprints * Receive three recovery strategies in a randomized order (massage, cold-water immersion and control (i.e. rest) * Answer a questionnaire regarding ther beliefs and preferences for recovery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
22
12 minutes of effleurage and petrissage on the upper limbs
12 minutes of cold water immersion at the shoulder level with water temperature between 11 to 15°C
Faculty of Science and Technology (UNESP)
Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil
Movement variability
Obtained from time series of biomechanical data expressed as degrees of shoulder and elbow flexion, and ergometric variables (i.e. pace, stroke frequency and average power) executed during a simulated out of water swim ergometric test to understand the impacts of fatigue on movement and explore changes during recovery. Measured at baseline, post-fatigue and post-interventions. Joint angles time series of shoulder and elbow flexion and ergometric variables were aggregated using mean, standard deviation and variation coefficients for data analyses.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of crossover treatments at 6 weeks
Swim-related perceptions
Self-reported ratings regarding physical and mental readiness for exercise, fatigue, vigor, somnolence, pain, and perception of effort and recovery, measured by a numerical rating scale ranging from 0 (nothing) to 10 (extreme). Measured at baseline, post-fatigue and post-interventions
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of crossover treatments at 6 weeks
Myotonometry
Muscle tone, stiffness and elasticity were assessed by the MyotonPRO. The equipment probe will be placed perpendicular to the skin surface on the muscle belly previously marked with a pen by the evaluator at 1: Deltoid; 2: Pectoralis Major; 3: Biceps brachii; 4: Upper Trapezius; 5: Latissimus dorsi; 7: Triceps. Values were deemed acceptable if there were less than 3% of variation between the impulses. Measured at baseline, post-fatigue and post-interventions.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of crossover treatments at 6 weeks
Skin temperature
The temperature will be measured using an infrared thermographic camera, at the same points of myotonometry. Measured before and after the interventions.
Time frame: From week 4 to 6
Beliefs in the recovery techniques
Participants will be asked if they believe that massage, cold-water immersion and resting contribute to their recovery before and after the study
Time frame: Week 6
Preference
After the study the participants will be asked which of the interventions they preferred to received to recover from the fatiguing exercise
Time frame: Week 6
Sense of position
Participants will be asked to position their dominant upper limb at 90° which will be indicated by a target fixed on the wall 1 meter ahead of them. They will have 3 chances to point at the target and memorize the position. Afterwards, participants will have 3 chances to point at the target without vision (by blindfold). Measured at baseline, post-fatigue and post-interventions
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of crossover treatments at 6 weeks
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