Massage and Percussion Therapy on Muscle and Performance Parameters

Intense physical activity affects the biochemical balance of muscle cells by stimulating the accumulation of inorganic phosphate, protons, lactate and free Mg2+. The altered biochemical balance leads to fatigue, resulting in impaired exercise capacity and manifested by a decrease in the intensity and efficiency of muscle work. The optimal balance between training and post-training recovery is one of the main elements to consider due to its impact on muscle strength, physical performance and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

One such recovery tool which has recently grown in popularity is handheld percussive massage devices (i.e., massage guns). The first commercial massage gun was invented in 2008 and in recent years, there has been an increase in popularity of handheld devices for personal and professional therapeutic use, as well as by physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches and athletes to elicit potential performance gains.

Massage is defined as "the mechanical manipulation of body tissues with rhythmic pressure and stroking to promote health and well-being" and is used for recovery, pre-exercise preparation and injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Massage is known to reduce muscle tension; reduce muscle pain, edema and spasm; improve flexibility and range of motion; increase blood flow in the muscle and clear substances such as blood lactate or creatine kinase, and therefore have effects on fatigue.

Rapid recovery of performance is important for both amateur and professional athletes, and scientific studies are needed to prove that massage is an effective tool to improve post-exercise recovery or to promote a faster recovery.

To the best of our knowledge, literature lacks studies that compare percussion therapy and massage therapy effects on recovery, muscle strength and performance post-exercise. The aim of this study will be to examine the effect between percussion massage with a mechanical percussion device and classical Swedish massage after acute exercise.

Inclusion criteria

• Participants willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study.
• Healthy adults aged between 18 and 30 years.
• No history of musculoskeletal injuries within the past six months.
• No known cardiovascular or respiratory conditions that may affect exercise performance.
• Participants with no previous experience with either massage or percussion therapy.
• International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form questionnaire score above 3000

Exclusion criteria

• Any medical condition or history of medical conditions that could affect muscle function or recovery (e.g., chronic pain conditions, autoimmune disorders).
• Individuals taking medications that could influence muscle performance or recovery.
• Any current injuries or pain that may interfere with the ability to perform exercises or receive interventions.
• Known allergies to massage oils or lotions or individuals with skin conditions that may be exacerbated by massage or percussion therapy.
• Participants unwilling or unable to comply with the study protocol.
• Inability to understand the study requirements.