Effect of AquaTitan bracelet on quadriceps recovery after fatiguing muscular strength and endurance exercise

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an AquaTitan bracelet on 24 hours quadriceps recovery and soreness from muscular strength and endurance exercise-induced fatigue, as well as to validate a previously established eccentric exercise protocol to induce muscle fatigue. METHODS: Fifteen recreationally active males participated in a single-blinded, placebo-controlled, balanced, random crossover study, with three experimental conditions (AquaTitan [AC], placebo [PC], and control [CC]) over four weeks. Participants performed pre-strength and endurance tests followed by a fatiguing exercise (FE). Post-1 strength, endurance, and muscle soreness test (MST-1) were conducted immediately after FE, while post-2 strength, endurance, and muscle soreness test (MST-2) were conducted 24 hours after FE. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between pre-test and post-1, post-1 and post-2, and MST-1 and MST-2 in vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and during full knee extension and flexion. No significant differences were found between pre-test and post-2, MST-1 and MST-2 in the rectus femoris, as well as between experimental conditions. No significant differences were also found in RPE. CONCLUSIONS: Participants were able to achieve baseline strength and endurance performance after 24 hours. However, non-significant differences between conditions suggest that the AquaTitan bracelet may not have an effect on quadriceps recovery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study conducted on the AquaTitan bracelet using a protocol that ensures that the quadriceps muscles were properly fatigued before testing for recovery. Hence, the protocol was effective in testing for muscular recovery and should be employed in future studies.