TENS Versus Foam Rolling for Muscle Recovery After Eccentric Exercise in Elite Female Volleyball Players

Summary

Purpose:

This study compared two recovery methods-transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and foam rolling (FR)-for muscle recovery after intense exercise in elite female volleyball players.

Background:

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is common after intense training and can reduce athletic performance. TENS uses mild electrical currents applied through the skin to reduce pain and improve blood flow. Foam rolling uses a cylindrical device to apply pressure to muscles. Both methods are widely used by athletes, but no previous study has directly compared them in elite female volleyball players.

Participants:

Thirty elite female volleyball players from Iran's Premier League, aged 18-28 years, with at least five years of competitive experience.

Procedures:

Participants completed a demanding lower-body exercise protocol designed to induce muscle soreness. They were then randomly assigned to one of three groups:

TENS group: received electrical stimulation to thigh muscles for 20 minutes Foam rolling group: performed self-massage with a foam roller for 20 minutes Control group: rested quietly for 20 minutes Interventions were applied 30 minutes after exercise and repeated 24 hours later.

Outcomes Measured:

Blood marker of muscle damage (creatine kinase \[CK\]) Vertical jump height Anaerobic sprint power Muscle soreness Measurements were taken before exercise and at 1, 24, and 48 hours afterward.

Hypothesis:

Both active recovery methods would reduce muscle damage markers and preserve jumping ability better than passive rest, with TENS potentially providing faster benefits.

Conditions

• Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
• Exercise-induced Muscle Damage
• Muscle Recovery
• Athletic Injuries

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was delivered using a clinical-grade stimulator (SL400; Berjis Medical Equipment Co., Tehran, Iran). Stimulation parameters: biphasic symmetric waveform; frequency 120-150 Hertz (Hz); pulse width 100 microseconds (μs); intensity 10-30 milliamperes (mA) individually adjusted to produce strong, comfortable paresthesia without visible muscle contraction. Each session lasted 20 minutes. Sessions were conducted 30 minutes postexercise and repeated at 24 hours.

OTHER

Foam Rolling (FR)

Foam rolling (FR) was performed using a medium-density, smooth-surface cylindrical foam roller (15 centimeters \[cm\] diameter × 45 cm length; Denafoam, Tehran, Iran). Participants followed a standardized bilateral rolling protocol targeting five muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, iliotibial band, gastrocnemius-soleus complex, and gluteal muscles. Each muscle group was rolled for 45 seconds per side at approximately 3 cm per second. Three complete cycles were performed per session, totaling approximately 20 minutes. Sessions were conducted 30 minutes postexercise and repeated at 24 hours.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sistan and Baluchestan

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mohammadreza Rezaeipour, MD, PhD · University of Sistan and Baluchestan

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

28 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-09-01

Primary Completion

2020-09-01

Completion

2020-12-30

Countries

• Iran

Study Locations