Evaluating the impact of self myofascial release and traditional recovery strategies on volleyball athletes using thermal imaging and biochemical assessments

This study evaluates the effects of Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) through foam rolling (FR), aerobic recovery (AR), and passive recovery (PAS) on muscle recovery following high-intensity exercise in elite volleyball athletes. A total of 33 participants were randomly assigned to the FR, AR, or PAS groups. Recovery was assessed using deep squat jump performance, blood lactate levels, creatine kinase (CK), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Results showed that FR and AR facilitated recovery, with FR improving jump performance by 23% (p = 0.03), reducing lactate by 15% (p = 0.01), and significantly lowering VAS scores (p = 0.02). The AR group showed a 19% improvement (p = 0.05) in jump performance and a 14% reduction in lactate (p = 0.04), but showed no significant improvement in VAS scores (p > 0.05). For CK clearance, FR demonstrated the greatest reduction in CK levels (from 415.4 U/L to 280.6 U/L at 72 h), while AR also showed a marked reduction (from 410.3 U/L to 300.2 U/L at 72 h). In contrast, PAS showed minimal changes across all measures. Thermal imaging revealed faster normalization of muscle temperature in FR and AR groups (p = 0.04), supporting enhanced circulation and recovery. These findings suggest that FR and AR are effective recovery strategies, with FR demonstrating the greatest improvements in muscle recovery metrics, while PAS showed less pronounced effects. Deep squat jumps and VAS scores are useful for monitoring recovery progress, but for a full assessment of muscle regeneration, additional biochemical markers are recommended. Further investigation into the long-term impact of these recovery strategies in high-intensity sports is warranted.