Comparison of Effects of Various Methods of Recovery of Muscle after Applied Exercise

We tried to compare four types of recovery (massage, stretching, cold, needle) to find out witch method is most efficient to improve recovery of triceps surrae muscle after aerobic exercise. We suppose that muscle recovery can be represented by state of viscoelastic properties of muscle (stiffness and elasticity). Recovery of muscle in athletes is often discussed topic in sport training. There are various methods for accelerate and improve recovery of muscle after exercise. One of the most frequently-used methods is massage and stretching. The effects of massage and streching are complex, so its exploration is complicated. The results of many studies are disputable. Recently is very popular application of cold on the recovery of muscle. Certains physiotherapists apply needle into the muscle for improve his elasticity and decrease his stiffness. Five healthy students of Sport and Physical Education from Charles University participated in this pilot study. Measurement of recovery of muscle was done by myotonometer (stiffness, elasticity) before and after exercise and after recovery. No significant differences for viscoelastic properties between massage and streching were found. Application of cold seems to be the most efficient than massage and streching however the difference was no significant. Most effective method of recovery of triceps surrae muscle was application of needle.