Efficacy of massage on muscle soreness, perceived recovery, physiological restoration and physical performance in male bodybuilders

Abstract

It is believed that sport massage after intensive exercise might improve power and perceptual recovery in athletes. However, few studies have been done in this area. This study aimed to examine the effect of massage on the performance of bodybuilders. Thirty experienced male bodybuilders were randomly assigned to either a massage group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Both groups performed five repetition sets at 75–77% of 1RM of knee extensor and flexor muscle groups. The massage group then received a 30-min massage after the exercise protocol while the control group maintained their normal passive recovery. Criteria under investigation included: plasma creatine kinase (CK) level, agility test, vertical jump test, isometric torque test, and perception of soreness. All variables were measured over 6 time periods: baseline, immediately after the DOMS inducing protocol, right after the massage, and 24, 48, and 72 h after the massage. Both groups showed significant (P < .001) decreases in jumping, agility performance, and isometric torque, but significant (P < .001) increases in CK and muscle soreness levels. The massage group in general demonstrated a better recovery rate. As such, a post-exercise massage session can improve the exercise performance and recovery rate in male bodybuilders after intensive exercise.

Keywords:

• Delayed onset
• knee flexion
• DOMS
• resistance training
• therapy

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our special thanks to Prof. David Pyne, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia, for his assistance with the manuscript and Prof. Peter Blanpied, Rhode Island University, USA, for reviewing the manuscript. We would also like to thank the subjects who participated in this study and the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Isfahan.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.