Investigation of the Effect of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (Floatation-REST) in Floatation Tank on Physical, Physiological, and Psychological Recovery Parameters of Football Players

Background: It is known that heavy training and football matches affect the performance of athletes negatively. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Floatation-REST on the physical, physiological, and psychological recovery parameters of football players after plyometric training. Methods: 24 football players between the ages of 20-26 who play in the amateur league in the province of Bitlis in Turkey participated in the study. Two groups were formed as control (n=12) and float (n=12) groups. After the groups had plyometric training, the control group was shown the documentary video, while Floatation-REST was applied to the float group. The effect of the method on recovery was assessed using heart rate measurement, lactate, cortisol, myoglobin, creatine kinase, leukocytes, IL-6, TNF-alpha serum analyses, performance tests, and a psychological perception questionnaire. Result: It was determined that Floatation-REST had statistically significant positive effects on heart rate, lactate, creatine kinase, myoglobin, cortisol and IL-6 levels, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and achilles tendon pain levels, speed (30 m), agility and thrust force performances and accelerated recovery. In the psychological perception questionnaire, the athletes who were applied Floatation-REST stated that they generally felt a decrease in their pain and their performance increased. Conclusion: Our results show that Floatation-REST can be used by football clubs as a new recovery method.