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Flotation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy (flotation-REST) attenuates afferent nervous system signaling and promotes relaxation of the body and mind. Despite limited research, the intervention has become increasingly popular among high-performance populations (e.g., elite athletes, military operators) seeking to accelerate recovery and enhance performance readiness. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether a one-hour flotation-REST session could augment recovery from high-intensity resistance exercise (6 sets of 10 back squats with 2 minutes rest) known to induce significant metabolic, adrenergic and mechanical stress. Eleven healthy resistance-trained males (age: 22.5± 2.3 years; height: 176.4±6.0 cm; weight: 85.7±6.2 kg, back squat 1RM: 153.1±20.1 kg; strength to weight ratio: 1.8±0.2) completed the within-subjects cross-over controlled research study. Following flotation-REST familiarization, participants completed two exercise testing blocks separated by a two-week washout. In one testing block, the high-intensity squat protocol was immediately followed by a one-hour flotation-REST session, while recovery in the remaining block consisted of a passive control condition in a sensory-stimulating environment. Markers of metabolic stress (lactate), neuroendocrine signaling (catecholamines, cortisol, testosterone), structural damage (myoglobin, creatine kinase), inflammation (IL-6, TNF-alpha), muscular performance (squat jump, countermovement jump) and psychological perception (pain, soreness, mood, fatigue, energy) were assessed at five time points: before exercise (PRE), immediately post-exercise (IP), post 1-hour recovery (1R), twenty-four hours post-exercise (+24) and forty-eight hours post-exercise (+48). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed muscle soreness was significantly attenuated with flotation-REST. The greatest treatment difference was observed directly following the intervention, in which the intensity of soreness was rated 36% lower than control. The flotation-REST intervention also led to significantly greater improvements in mood state and fatigue, confirming the psychological benefits noted during initial familiarization. While significant reductions in cortisol were demonstrated during the first flotation exposure, mediation of the HPA axis was not observed following exercise. However, reductions in norepinephrine and increases in total testosterone revealed significant modification of neuroendocrine signaling pathways which may mediate positive recovery processes. Acute physiological responses to high-intensity exercise (e.g., hyperemia, HPA inhibition) may have contributed to the limited treatment effect observed in the physiological domains. However, the lack of change in structural damage and inflammatory signaling may suggest the suitability of flotation-REST for everyday use, as the modality does not appear to interfere with muscle repair and remodeling. The data reveal a positive impact of flotation-REST in the first 48 hours of recovery, particularly where psychological appraisal is involved. As no adverse effects were observed in any of the recovery domains, flotation-REST may be considered a safe and valuable intervention for promoting relaxation, managing soreness and enhancing performance readiness. |
