Vibrating foam rolling as a form of lifeguard regeneration after water rescue

In saving from drowning, a quick response of the rescuer is the key. The rescuer’s physical condition during rescue is tested by extremely demanding metabolic needs. A single rescue operation causes a large increase in blood lactate concentration. Water rescuers are often forced to react many times within 1 day, therefore effective regeneration after each rescue operation is considered an important determinant of the success of subsequent life-saving operations. In the presented article, scientists from the University of Vigo (Spain) analyzed the effect of a regenerative program based on the use of muscle rolling with a foam roller (FR) on blood lactate clearance and fatigue after water rescue. Under the influence of more and more reports on the positive effect of vibrotherapy on regeneration after physical exertion, the presented research also included a regenerative protocol based on vibrating foam roller (VFR) and compared its effects with FR and passive regeneration (PR).

• PR did not significantly affect the removal of lactate from the blood. In contrast, FR or VFR significantly lowered blood lactate levels, especially VFR.
• Perceived fatigue was significantly reduced with all recovery methods.

Prepared on the basis of:

Does a short intervention with vibration foam roller recover lifeguards better after a water rescue? A pilot study. Alonso-Calvete A, Lage-Rey A, Lorenzo-Martínez M, Rey E. Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Nov;49:71-75.

Study population

7 lifeguards (5 men and 2 women; age 23.3 ± 1.1 years) participated in the study.

Test procedure

The study was a crossover pilot study. PR was compared with the FR or VFR regeneration after 100 m water rescue. Rescue operations were simulated using a mannequin under repeated atmospheric conditions. Rescuers used flippers and swimming suits. The action consisted of swimming 100 meters towards the mannequin, preparing it for transport, hauling it back to the shore and pulling the mannequin out onto dry sand. The rescuers then took off their swimming suits and began the convalescence procedure. All rescuers underwent all 3 recovery methods – one on 3 different days, in random order, with a total recovery time of 5 minutes for the given recovery.

During PR, the rescuers rested while sitting. The FR and VFR treatments consisted of rolling a Vyper foam roller (Hyperice, USA) over the quadriceps muscles and hamstrings of both limbs (a type of massage). Each muscle was massaged twice in this way, according to the scheme: 30 s of rolling, 15 s of rest and 30 s of rolling again. A controlled roller pressure force was applied in the FR and VFR, namely 6-7 on a 10 point discomfort scale (where 0 = no discomfort, 10 = maximum discomfort).

Before and after the rescue, as well as after a 5-minute recovery (PR, FR or VFR), blood lactate levels and perceived exertion were measured.

Use of vibration in the study

The vibration frequency of 18 Hz was used, which, according to the authors, is within the optimal frequency range influencing the musculoskeletal system.

Results

The use of FR (p = 0.013; effect size = 0.97) or VFR (p <0.001; effect size = 1.62) resulted in a significant reduction in blood lactate levels. PR did not significantly affect the removal of lactate from the blood.

Perceived fatigue was significantly reduced with all recovery methods.

Comment

The presented results showed that both FR and VFR were much more effective in removing lactate from the blood compared to PR, with VFR regeneration being the most effective here. In addition, the perceived fatigue has significantly decreased with all regeneration methods, so the tested methods, especially VFR, have a great potential in emergency medical services, as they can increase the physical condition after a rescue operation, i.e. increase the readiness to perform the next one.

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