Aquatic myofascial release applied after high intensity exercise increases flexibility and decreases pain

To investigate aquatic myofascial release (AMR) effects on flexibility and delayed onset muscle soreness, after high intensity exercises. Study Design: 15 participants, control (CON) and intervention (INT), 3 moments, pre (Pre), after (Post) and 50 min after (Post 50/Post AMR). 6 exercises, 5 sets, 15 reps at 85% of 1 maximum repetition, followed, or not, by 50 min of AMR. Variables: Heart rate, lactate, rate of perceived exertion, pain and flexibility. Results: Pain perception decreased in all moments (CON4.47 ± 2.36; INT1.13 ± 1.46, p = 0.0002). Flexibility only increased for the fingertip to floor test in both phases in the Post50/Post AMR compared to Post (CON14.33 ± 9.19Pre, 15.07 ± 9.37Post (p = 0.7) and 12.8 ± 4.69Post50 (p = 0.4); INT14.53 ± 9.06Pre, 13.87 ± 9.88Post (p = 0.2) and 11.03 ± 8.96Post AMR (p = 0.001)). The Well's bench improved only for the Post AMR compared to Pre in the INT phase (INT24.79 ± 9.91Pre; 27.67 ± 9.46Post AMR p = 0.0000023). Conclusion: We concluded that AMR is effective to reduce pain perception and to improve flexibility of the studied population submitted to a high intense exercise session.