Effects of foam roll recovery on pain and functionality after resisted workouts: randomized clinical trial

Physical exercises performed in high physical activity an inflammatory response, which is clinically characterized by delayed onset muscle soreness (DMIT) and by the decrease in functionality. Several forms of recovery are applied in this situation, such as which aim to improve the performance of athletes and favor adaptation to beginners of exercise programs. Among these, recently recovery through selfmassage with the aid of a foam roller (foam roller - RFR) has been used in this condition, but there is no evidence to support its use. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of passive (RP), active (RA) and RFR recoveries on DMIT and and in physical fitness variables of healthy individuals, after a resistance exercise (RE) session. The present research stands out as a randomized, singleblind, crossover clinical trial, which included 37 physically active men (22 ± 3 years, 24.4 ± 2.3 kg/m2 ). RE session (squat, leg press and extension chair) comprised 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 80% of 10 Maximum Repetitions (10RM test), with an interval of seven days between terminations. Variables of physical fitness (strength, power, agility, range of motion, flexibility, speed and resistance to fatigue) were evaluated 1h afterwards as a complement to RE. DMIT was assessed 24h, 48h and 72h after the RE session. The project was approved by the UFSM Ethics and Research Committee under protocol 2.538.028. The results show that in the PR, the percentage of strength of the lower limbs (dominant and non-dominant) was 4.4% (95% CI: -1.4 to -7.4) lower than the RA and 5.3% (95% CI %: - 2.7 to -8.3) than in the RFR. Agility improved 3.6% (DEM: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2 to 1s) in RA and 4.3% (DEM: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.2 to 1.1s) non-RFR, which in RP. Only the RFR reduced (p