Aquatic Exercise Compared to Contrast Therapy With Shallow Water Treadmill Running to Assist Recovery in Elite Australian Rules Footballers

The purpose of this pilot exploratory study was to determine any immediate effects of a session of aquatic exercise (AE) compared with contrast therapy shallow water treadmill running (CSWR). Twenty-nine elite footballers were allocated randomly to AE or CSWR, 48 hr after a practice match. Outcome measures included maximum vertical jump height; visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; the squeeze test for adductor strength, sit and reach test, and ankle and hip range of movement. A significant difference between groups was found for maximum vertical jump height with the AE group being able to jump higher after the intervention (95% CI [-8.63 to -1.28]). No other significant differences between groups were detected for any outcome. Significant within group effects were found for the CSWR group in improving sit and reach (p = .04), and reducing pain when performing the squeeze test (p = .02). Both interventions may have improved aspects of performance; however, more highly powered trials, incorporating a control group, need to be conducted.