The effect of di̇fferent recovery protocols on delayed onset muscle soreness i̇n eli̇te table tennis players after HİGH volume ball trai̇ni̇ng

In many sports disciplines, delayed muscle soreness is a condition that athletes of all levels encounter and causes a decrease in performance, especially when training periods are reduced to increased training periods or after intense training days. Many recovery methods are used against delayed muscle soreness in athletes, especially after training, and the effectiveness of these methods has some uncertainties in different sports branches. In this context, the aim of our study was to examine the effect of different recovery protocols applied after multi-ball training on delayed muscle soreness in table tennis players. The sample of the study consisted of 21 male athletes aged 18-32 years who played table tennis as a licensed athlete in regional and national leagues for the last 3 years. The research design was pre-test-post-test matched control group randomised design and according to this design, foam roller massage (n:7) and classical massage experimental groups (n:7) and control group (n:7) were matched according to their average age. After anthropometric tests were performed in all groups, visual analogue scale, range of motion, pain body map with palpation pain scale and standing long jump pretest were performed. For the experimental groups, recovery methods were applied after multi-ball training. The control group did passive rest. Then, post-tests were applied at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Anthropometric characteristics were evaluated by one-way (group) analysis of variance. Repeated measures two-way (group x time) analysis of variance was used for the analysis of range of motion, visual analogue scale, palpation pain scale, pain body map and standing long jump data. In case of significant differences, appropriate post hoc analyses were performed to see which groups were different from each other. In general, when the results are considered, when we look at the variables of standing long jump, range of motion, visual analogue scale, palpation pain scale and pain body map, it is concluded that the foam roller group has more effect on delayed muscle pain as a recovery protocol than the classical massage group and the control group performing passive rest; relatively, the classical massage group shows similar characteristics with the foam roller group in some cases; but both groups have much more effect than the control group.