The effect of percussion massage therapy on the recovery of delayed onset muscle soreness in physically active young men-a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether percussive massage treatment (PMT) is more effective than static stretching for recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in physically active young men.
Results Summary
The study found that long-duration PMT (40 minutes) was significantly more effective than static stretching and short-duration PMT (25 minutes) in improving jump performance, reducing muscle activity, lowering pain scores, and increasing knee joint range of motion. The benefits were most pronounced 48 hours post-intervention.
Population
Thirty physically active male college students.
Effective Dosage
Two sessions of either 25-minute PMT (S-PMT) or 40-minute PMT (L-PMT).
Duration
Effects were measured immediately post-intervention and up to 48 hours later.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | increase | jump height during the countermovement jump propulsion phase | physically active young men | p < 0.001, d = 8.691 compared to SS; p = 0.006, d = 4.37 compared to S-PMT | demonstrated significantly greater jump height | #1 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | increase | peak ground reaction force during the countermovement jump propulsion phase | physically active young men | p < 0.001, d = 19.174 compared to SS; p < 0.001, d = 14.334 compared to S-PMT | demonstrated significantly greater peak ground reaction force | #2 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | increase | propulsion impulse during the countermovement jump propulsion phase | physically active young men | p < 0.001, d = 8.302 compared to SS; p = 0.003, d = 4.517 compared to S-PMT | demonstrated significantly greater propulsion impulse | #3 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | decrease | normalized integrated electromyography of the vastus medialis muscle | physically active young men | p < 0.001, d = -5.692 compared to S-PMT; p < 0.001, d = -12 compared to SS | were significantly lower | #4 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | decrease | normalized integrated electromyography of the rectus femoris muscle | physically active young men | p < 0.001, d = -8.222 compared to S-PMT; p < 0.001, d = -11.384 compared to SS | were significantly lower | #5 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | decrease | normalized integrated electromyography of the vastus lateralis muscle | physically active young men | p < 0.001, d = -10 compared to S-PMT; p < 0.001, d = -15 compared to SS | were significantly lower | #6 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | decrease | visual analog scale pain score | physically active young men | p = 0.003, d = -1.53 compared to SS | exhibited significantly lower VAS scores | #7 |
long-duration percussive massage treatment (L-PMT) | increase | knee joint range of motion | physically active young men | p = 0.012, d = 4.77 compared to SS | exhibited significantly greater knee joint ROM | #8 |
percussive massage treatment (PMT) | increase | delayed onset muscle soreness recovery | physically active young men | - | was more effective than static stretching | #9 |
two 40-min PMT sessions | increase | delayed onset muscle soreness treatment | physically active young men | - | provided greater benefits than two 25-min sessions | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common condition among physically active individuals, often resulting in reduced performance and discomfort. Although percussive massage treatment (PMT) is widely used as a recovery tool, there is limited evidence supporting its efficacy compared to traditional methods such as static stretching. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of PMT on recovery from DOMS in physically active young men. METHODS: Thirty physically active male college students were randomized into three groups: static stretching (SS) group, a short-duration PMT (S-PMT) group, and a long-duration PMT (L-PMT) group. All participants performed squats to induce DOMS, followed by interventions of static stretching, 25 min of PMT, or 40 min of PMT, respectively. Measurements included the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, knee joint range of motion (ROM), countermovement jump (CMJ), and integrated electromyography (iEMG). These were measured at baseline (P0), post-DOMS protocol (P1), post PMT (P2), 24 h post-intervention (P3), and 48 h post-intervention (P4). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA or nonparametric tests, with multiple comparisons conducted at a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Compared with the SS and S-PMT group, the L-PMT group at P4 demonstrated significantly greater jump height (SS group: p < 0.001, d = 8.691; S-PMT group: p = 0.006, d = 4.37), peak ground reaction force (SS group: p < 0.001, d = 19.174; S-PMT group: p < 0.001, d = 14.334), and propulsion impulse (SS group: p < 0.001, d = 8.302; S-PMT group: p = 0.003, d = 4.517) during the CMJ propulsion phase. Additionally, the normalized iEMGs of the three muscles in the L-PMT group were significantly lower than those in the S-PMT (VM: p < 0.001, d = -5.692; RF: p < 0.001, d = -8.222; VL: p < 0.001, d = -10) and SS groups at P4 (VM: p < 0.001, d = -12; RF: p < 0.001, d = -11.384; VL: p < 0.001, d = -15). At P4, the L-PMT group exhibited significantly lower VAS scores than the SS group (p = 0.003, d = -1.53), as well as significantly greater knee joint ROM compared to the SS group (p = 0.012,d = 4.77). CONCLUSION: PMT was more effective than static stretching for DOMS recovery. Furthermore, two 40-min PMT sessions provided greater benefits than two 25-min sessions for treating DOMS. These findings suggest that PMT can be a valuable tool for physically active individuals seeking to enhance recovery and maintain performance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on September 21, 2024, with the identifier number NCT06612502.