Recovery of Heart Rate Variability in Handball Players (HRV-HANDBAll)

June 9, 2026 updated by: Ramiz ARABACI, Uludag University

Effects of Manual Massage and Foam Rolling on Heart Rate Variability Following 20m-Shuttle Run Test in Elite Male Handball Players

This study aimed to compare the acute effects of manual massage (MM) and foam rolling (FR) on heart rate variability (HRV) following a 20 m shuttle run test (20m-SRT) in elite male handball players. It was hypothesized that MM and FR would produce differential acute effects on HRV responses during

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The aim of present study was to compare the acute effects of manual massage (MM) and foam rolling (FR) on time-domain and frequency-domain HRV parameters following a 20 m shuttle run test (20m-SRT) in elite male handball players. It was hypothesized that MM and FR would produce differential acute effects on HRV responses during. Fifteen elite male handball players voluntarilly participated in present study.

The research utilized a randomized cross-over design. All participants provided written informed consent after being briefed about the aims, procedures, benefits, and risks. Study was conducted in three sessions in onwe week. Fırst session is familiarization, other two sessions are experimental: MM and FR sessions. Participants were instructed to maintain their normal diet, refrain from intense exercise for at least 48 hours before study sessions, avoid alcohol and caffeine intake for 24 hours prior, and consume their last meal at least 3 hours before sessions. In familiarization session, subjects fulfilled Exercise Readiness Questionnaire (EGZ+), measured body composition, after warm-up 20m-SRT, and recovery interventions (MM and FR). Before warm-up - pre-test, during 20-m shuttle run test - test and after recovery - post-test HRV were recorded. In experimental session, after the 20 min standard warm-up including jogging, jumping and stretching volunteers performed 20m-SRT and immediately one of two different recovery interventions. Recovery interventions are MM and FR applied on the lower extremities. All procedures were conducted at the same time of day (14:00-16:00) to minimize circadian rhythm effects. To determine differences in HRV and heart rate across recovery methods and time points, a Two Way Repeated Measures ANOVA was used: 2 Intervention (MM and FR) × 3 Time (Pre-test, Test, Post-test). Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons performed to identify differences between specific time points and interventions.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

15

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye), 16059
        • Bursa uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • at least 5 years of regular handball training
  • participation in at least 10 matches in the past year
  • no injury lasting longer than 2 weeks in the past 6 months
  • minimum 1 year of experience in the Turkish Handball Super League
  • no use of stimulants (ergogenic aids, doping, etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Manual Massage (MM)
After the 20 minute standard warm-up including jogging, jumping and stretching participant performed 20 m Shuttle Run Test (20m-SRT), subsequently legs Manual Massage (MM) recovery intervention lasted 20 minutes. Before warm-up, during 20m-SRT and MM HRV was recorded.
Other: Manul Massage (MM)
MM protocol employed Swedish massage techniques (Hemmings, 2001; Tessier, 2005), including effleurage (light stroking), friction, petrissage (kneading and rolling), vibration and tapotement (light percussion). Massage was applied for 20 minutes total, distributed as: 10 minutes on the right and 10 minutes on the left lower extremity. Posterior lower-extremity massage included the gluteal region, posterior thigh, and calf muscles. Anterior lower-extremity massage included only the quadriceps. Applications were performed from distal to proximal direction using baby oil by certified masseur. Anterior leg massage in a supine position and posterior leg massage in a prone position was applied
Experimental: Foam Rolling (FR)
After the 20 minute standard warm-up including jogging, jumping and stretching participant performed 20 m Shuttle Run Test (20m-SRT), subsequently legs Foam Rolling (FR) recovery intervention lasted 20 minutes. Before warm-up, during 20m-SRT and FR HRV was recorded.
Other: Foam Rolling (FR)
A medium density, grid structured foam roller (Blackroll Standard, 33×15×14 cm, PVC polypropylene, Bottighofen, Switzerland) was used. Participants performed self-myofascial release by placing the lower extremities on the foam roller and rolling forward and backward to relax fascia surrounding the muscle with medium pressure. Total duration of FR lasted 20 minutes: 10 minutes left and 10 minutes right lower extremity. Rolling was performed at a controlled cadence (~30 cycles/min) guided by a metronome with moderate pressure.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 60 minutes
HRV was recorded by Polar V800 (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) heart rate monitor and chest strap of Polar H10 transmitter. HRV time-domain (RR, RMSSD, SDNN) and frequency-domain (VLF, LF, HF) markers and heart rate (HR) were recorded and transferred in Polar Flow. Data set normalized by adopting artefact methodology using Kubios HRV Scientific (Tarvainen et al., 2014). Power values were calculated in normalized units (n.u.). HRV recordings were obtained during three phases: pre exercise (10 min supine rest), during exercise and post exercise recovery phases (10 min supine rest. Participants were instructed to maintain spontaneous but stable breathing during recordings.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 60 minutes
20 m Shuttle Run Test (VO2max)
Time Frame: After warm-up 20m-SRT lasted approximately 12-15 minute
20m-SRT was administered following the protocol of Leger and Lambert (1982). The running pace was controlled by "beep test" audio signals. The test started at a speed of 8.5 km·h-¹, increasing by 0.5 km·h-¹ every minute. Participants were required to cover 20 m at each signal. The test ended when a participant failed to complete the 20 m distance three consecutive times. Estimated VO2max values were calculated using the Leger et al. (1988) formula.
After warm-up 20m-SRT lasted approximately 12-15 minute

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Height
Time Frame: 1 minute during familiarisation session
Standing height was measured with a SECA 216 digital stadiometer with a precision of 0.01 m.
1 minute during familiarisation session
Weight
Time Frame: 1 minute during familiarisation session
Body weight (kg) were measured using a TANITA BC 418MA Segmental Body Composition Analyzer (±0.50 kg accuracy).
1 minute during familiarisation session
Total Body Fat
Time Frame: 1 minute during familiarisation session
Total body fat (%) were measured using a TANITA BC 418MA Segmental Body Composition Analyzer (±0.50 kg accuracy).
1 minute during familiarisation session
Body Mass Index
Time Frame: 1 minute during familiarisation session
Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2
1 minute during familiarisation session

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Uludag University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

July 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 9, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2023-20/71014

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

only IPD used in the results publication

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Heart Rate Control

Clinical Trials on Manul Massage (MM)

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Liberia

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe