Recovery Strategies and Diurnal Variation in Adolescent Judokas

Comparative Effects of Sports Massage, Passive Rest, and Static Stretching on Physiological and Neuromuscular Recovery in Adolescent Judokas: The Role of Diurnal Variation

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of three different recovery strategies-sports massage (SM), static stretching (SS), and passive rest (PR)-on physiological and neuromuscular recovery in adolescent male judokas. Additionally, the study investigates the role of diurnal variation (morning vs. evening sessions) on recovery performance.

Thirteen competitive adolescent judokas participated in a randomized crossover design. Recovery was assessed using physiological markers such as heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La-) levels, as well as neuromuscular performance through countermovement jump (CMJ) and medicine ball throw tests. The findings aim to identify the most effective recovery modality for young athletes to optimize performance and prevent overtraining during intensive training or competition schedules.

This study employed a randomized, crossover experimental design to evaluate the efficacy of different recovery modalities in adolescent judokas. Participants underwent three distinct recovery protocols-Sports Massage (SM), Static Stretching (SS), and Passive Rest (PR)-following a standardized high-intensity exercise bout designed to induce fatigue.

Each recovery session lasted 15 minutes. To account for the influence of circadian rhythms, the protocols were conducted during both morning (08:00-10:00) and evening (17:00-19:00) sessions, with a minimum of 48 hours between sessions to ensure full recovery.

Physiological recovery was monitored through blood lactate concentration (La-) and heart rate (HR) measurements taken at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at specific intervals during the recovery period. Neuromuscular performance was assessed through the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test to measure lower-body power and the Medicine Ball Throw test for upper-body explosive strength. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the recovery rates and performance maintenance across the three modalities and two diurnal time points.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active male judo athletes with at least orange belt
• Aged between 10-13 years
• Having at least 2 years of experience in judo training
• Active participation in national or international competitions
• Voluntary participation and signing the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any chronic disease or cardiovascular problems
• Upper or lower limb injuries within last 6 months that might affect performance
• Use of performance-enhancing supplements or medications during the study period
• Smoking or regular alcohol consumption