Cardiac Autonomic FunctionNCT07305506
Effects of Post-Match Foam Rolling, Static Stretching, and Passive Rest on Acute Cardiac-Autonomic, Hemodynamic, and Neuromuscular Recovery in National Wrestlers
A study testing Foam Rolling and Static Stretching in people with Cardiac Autonomic Function and Hemodynamic Changes, run by Ali Kamil GÜNGÖR at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study looks at three common ways athletes recover after a wrestling match: foam rolling, static stretching, and resting. We want to learn which method helps the body recover better in the short time that athletes often have between matches. Sixteen national-level wrestlers will take part in the study. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 24 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cardiac Autonomic Function, Hemodynamic Changes, Neuromuscular Adaptations
- What is being tested?
- Foam Rolling and Static Stretching
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 9 Jan 2024to 25 Feb 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 24 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- being freestyle wrestlers,
- holding an active wrestling license for at least 5 years
- possessing at least a C-level National Athlete Certificate (having represented Turkey in at least one international senior wrestling tournament organized by United World Wrestling),
- having trained regularly for the last 12 months,
- having had no injuries in the past 12 months.
Who cannot join
- having any cardiovascular health issues
- using medications or substances affecting the respiratory or cardiovascular system
- using ergogenic dietary supplements (e.g., creatine, caffeine)
- having a resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Sport Sciences
Bursa, Bursa, 16000
About this study
This study looks at three common ways athletes recover after a wrestling match: foam rolling, static stretching, and resting. We want to learn which method helps the body recover better in the short time that athletes often have between matches.
Sixteen national-level wrestlers will take part in the study. Each participant will complete all three recovery methods on different days. Before and after each match and recovery session, researchers will measure heart activity, blood pressure, and jump performance. Heart activity is measured through heart rate variability, which shows how well the body's nervous system responds to stress.
The purpose of this study is to find out which recovery method helps the body return to normal faster. The results may help athletes and coaches choose the best recovery strategy during competitions.
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the acute effects of three practical post-match recovery strategies-foam rolling (FR), static stretching (SS), and passive rest (PR)-on cardiac-autonomic, hemodynamic, and neuromuscular recovery in national-level male wrestlers following a maximal-effort freestyle wrestling match. Wrestling involves high-intensity intermittent actions that substantially elevate cardiovascular and metabolic stress, often requiring athletes to recover rapidly between multiple matches during tournaments. Despite the importance of rapid short-term recovery, limited research has examined accessible, equipment-free recovery methods that can be applied within competition settings.
The study uses a randomized controlled crossover design in which each participant completes all three recovery protocols on separate days. Following a standardized warm-up and a maximal 2×3-min wrestling match, participants perform one of the three 9-min recovery interventions. FR and SS target the same major muscle groups of the lower limbs and upper posterior chain. PR consists of lying supine without movement. Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance are assessed at four time points: pre-match, immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery.
HRV is recorded using a validated chest-strap heart rate monitor and analyzed with Kubios HRV software to obtain Mean-RR, RMSSD, and SDNN as indicators of cardiac-autonomic modulation. Hemodynamic recovery is evaluated through automated brachial systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure measurements. Neuromuscular recovery is assessed through CMJ height and estimated peak power using an Optojump system and the Sayers equation. All measurements are performed under controlled environmental conditions and standardized protocols.
The study includes national-level freestyle wrestlers with at least five years of competitive experience and no recent injuries or cardiovascular contraindications. A priori power analysis determined that 16 participants provide adequate power (>80%) to detect meaningful differences. All participants complete familiarization before the experimental visits, and all match and recovery protocols follow official wrestling competition procedures.
The primary purpose of this study is to compare whether FR or SS can enhance cardiac-autonomic or hemodynamic recovery relative to PR without compromising neuromuscular performance. Secondary aims include identifying whether either modality facilitates parasympathetic reactivation or BP normalization during the first 10 minutes following completion of the recovery protocol. The findings may inform coaches, sport scientists, and athletes about the practicality and acute effectiveness of common recovery practices used during wrestling tournaments.
- Conditions
- Cardiac Autonomic Function, Hemodynamic Changes, Neuromuscular Adaptations, Exercise and Recovery
- Being tested
- Foam Rolling, Static Stretching
- Keywords
- Wrestling, Recovery, Foam rolling, Static stretching, Passive rest, Heart rate variability, Blood pressure, Anaerobic power, Neuromuscular performance, Countermovement jump, Combat sports, Cardiac autonomic modulation
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Foam RollingProcedure or surgery
Participants perform a 9-minute foam rolling protocol immediately after the simulated match. Six bilateral muscle groups are targeted: calves, shins, hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteals, and upper back. Each exercise consists of 2 × 30-second rolling per limb, with 30 seconds of rest between exercises and sets. Movements are performed at a metronome-controlled pace (2 seconds up, 2 seconds down). A high-density foam roller (6 × 36 in) is used, and a researcher provides technique supervision throughout.
Static StretchingProcedure or surgery
Participants perform a 9-minute static stretching routine targeting the same muscle groups as the foam rolling protocol. Each stretch consists of 2 × 30-second holds per limb, with 30 seconds of rest between exercises and sets. Stretches are performed to the point of mild discomfort but without pain. No partner assistance is used, and a researcher supervises to ensure correct technique.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Foam Rolling | Experimental | Participants perform the 9-minute foam rolling recovery protocol immediately after the simulated match. Receives: Procedure: Foam Rolling |
| Static Stretching | Experimental | Participants perform the 9-minute static stretching recovery protocol immediately after the simulated match. Receives: Procedure: Static Stretching |
| Passive Rest | No intervention | Participants rest supine for 9 minutes immediately after the simulated match; this serves as a control comparator. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences) - heart rate variability
RMSSD will be derived from R-R interval recordings to assess short-term cardiac-parasympathetic modulation and acute autonomic recovery following each post-match recovery intervention.
Measured: Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery
Mean RR and SDNN - heart rate variability
Mean RR (average R-R interval) and SDNN (standard deviation of normal R-R intervals) will be calculated from R-R recordings to characterize overall autonomic modulation across time points.
Measured: Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery
Secondary outcomes (2)
Brachial Blood Pressure (SBP, DBP, MAP)
Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) will be measured using an automated oscillometric device to evaluate hemodynamic recovery after each intervention.
Measured: Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) height and peak power
Vertical CMJ height (and derived peak power via Sayers equation) will be measured to assess neuromuscular fatigue and recovery following each post-match recovery method. Two trials performed per time point; best score used.
Measured: Pre-match (baseline), immediately post-match, immediately post-recovery, and 10 minutes post-recovery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Dec 2025
- Study start9 Jan 2024
- Primary completion25 Feb 2024
- Study completion25 Feb 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cardiac Autonomic FunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ali Kamil GÜNGÖR
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Ali Kamil GÜNGÖR, Uludag University
- Investigators
- Ali Kamil Güngör, Phd, Principal investigator, Uludağ university
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07305506
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BUU-WRESTLING-RECOVERY-2025
- Other IDs
- approval code: 2023-21/18
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 12 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because the dataset contains sensitive physiological information (e.g., HRV and blood pressure measurements) from a small sample of athletes, which may pose risks to participant privacy even after anonymization. Additionally, institutional policies do not permit external sharing of raw participant-level data. Only aggregated results will be made available upon reasonable request.
Publications
Laborde S, Wanders J, Mosley E, Javelle F. Influence of physical post-exercise recovery techniques on vagally-mediated heart rate variability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2024 Jan;44(1):14-35. doi: 10.1111/cpf.12855. Epub 2023 Oct 2.
PubMed 37754676D'Amico A, Gillis J, McCarthy K, Leftin J, Molloy M, Heim H, Burke C. FOAM ROLLING AND INDICES OF AUTONOMIC RECOVERY FOLLOWING EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020 May;15(3):429-440.
PubMed 32566379Behm DG, Chaouachi A. A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Nov;111(11):2633-51. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-1879-2. Epub 2011 Mar 4.
PubMed 21373870Behm DG, Blazevich AJ, Kay AD, McHugh M. Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016 Jan;41(1):1-11. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0235. Epub 2015 Dec 8.
PubMed 26642915Healey KC, Hatfield DL, Blanpied P, Dorfman LR, Riebe D. The effects of myofascial release with foam rolling on performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Jan;28(1):61-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182956569.
PubMed 23588488Pickering TG, Hall JE, Appel LJ, Falkner BE, Graves J, Hill MN, Jones DW, Kurtz T, Sheps SG, Roccella EJ. Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals: part 1: blood pressure measurement in humans: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research. Circulation. 2005 Feb 8;111(5):697-716. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000154900.76284.F6.
PubMed 15699287Heart rate variability: standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. Circulation. 1996 Mar 1;93(5):1043-65. No abstract available.
PubMed 8598068Gungor AK, Topcu H, Yildirim Y, Flatt A. Effects of post-match foam rolling, static stretching, and passive rest on acute cardiac-autonomic, hemodynamic, and neuromuscular recovery in national wrestlers. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Mar 6;18(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01646-4.
PubMed 41787568