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Biochemistry/Endocrinology

(43) LEUKOCYTE RESPONSE TO FOAM ROLLING FOLLOWING RESISTANCE EXERCISE

Thursday, July 11, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Exhibit Hall
Abstract Details: Foam rolling is a recovery modality employed to improve the recovery process following exercise, however, it may alter the immune repair processes.

Purpose: To determine the effects of foam rolling on leukocyte counts following resistance exercise.

Methods: 17 resistance-trained men (22± 3yrs; 175.2±6.3cm; 77.8±9.3kg; Relative 1RM: 1.73±0.18 kg/kg body mass) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants provided written informed consent, were assessed for anthropometrics, and completed a 1RM assessment in the back squat (BS) and deadlift (DL), and an estimated split squat (SS) 1RM on visit one. Participants were then randomly assigned either foam rolling (FR) or sham muscle ultrasound (CON). At least 72 hours later, participants provided a baseline blood sample (PRE) and completed the exercise protocol of 6x10 at 80%1RM in the BS, 4x10 at 70% 1RM in the DL and SS exercises with 2-minutes of rest between sets and exercises. Immediately following exercise (IP), participants provided a blood sample before completing their assigned recovery modality. Following the modality, another sample was collected (REC) as well as one-hour (1H) later. Additional blood samples were collected on visits three and four, which were 24- (24H) and 48-hours (48H) later, respectively. Samples were analyzed by an automated hematology analyzer to assess total counts of leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytes (LY), monocytes (MO) and granulocytes (GR). Four separate two-way (group×time) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess changes in cell counts with a Least Significant Difference (LSD) pairwise comparison for main effects.

Results: Data are presented in Table 1. No group x time interactions were present for WBC (F=0.896; p=0.427; ηp2=0.56, LY (F=1.113; p</em>=0.330; ηp2=0.069), MO (F=1.431; p=0.248; ηp2= 0.087), and GR (F=0.651; p</em>=0.534; ηp2=0.042). Main effects for time were observed for WBC (F=56.244; p< 0.001; ηp2=0.789), LY (F=134.614; p< 0.001; ηp2=0.900), MO (F=12.091; p< 0.001; ηp2=0.446) and GR (F=58.480; p< 0.001; ηp2=0.796). All cell populations were elevated from PRE at IP, REC, and 1H (p< 0.001) with no differences at 24H and 48H (p>0.05).

Conclusion: While exercise elevated cell counts for WBC, LY and MO over time, FR seems to have no effect on leukocyte counts when compared to a control following a bout of resistance exercise. Moreover, cell counts returned to near baseline values by 24H and 48H. Therefore, FR had no additional benefits than no recovery modality in improving cell counts days later for recovery following resistance exercise. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: While foam rolling does not alter cell counts for recovery following exercise, as well as days later, athletes may utilize the modality if it provides analgesic benefits.

Acknowledgements: This project was funded by the NSCA Foundation.