A Comparison of the Immediate Effect of Swedish Massage vs Passive Stretching on Range of Motion in Overhead Athletes

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To compare the clinical outcome and effectiveness of Swedish massage and a traditional passive stretching program, on the shoulder of ROM in overhead athletes.PARTICIPANTS A total of 10 overhead throwing overhead male athletes (age= 23.5 ± 1.5yrs; height= 186.69 ± 6.35 cm; mass= 91.86 ± 12.48 kg).METHODS Participants were randomly assigned to either Swedish massage or a traditional passive static stretching program for 1 session of 5 minutes. Baseline and post-intervention shoulder ROM to end range in the flexed, external rotation, internal rotation, horizontal adduction and abduction positions. The Pearson chi-square test was applied to compare the differences of shoulder ROM of both therapeutic variables. Recorded outcome measures on the participants’ shoulder ROM (flexion with scapula fixed, horizontal adduction, horizontal abduction, internal rotational & external rotation) pre- & post-interventions.RESULTS Results indicate that participants in the Swedish massage therapeutic intervention group had significant improvements in their internal rotation post-treatment (M=5.20, SD= 1.304, p=.038) and the traditional passive stretching protocol group had significant improvements in shoulder external rotation post-treatment (M=11.20, SD=2.68, p=.016).CONCLUSION Swedish massage had better effects in four out of the five shoulder motions measured compared to passive static stretching. Educating overhead athletes on the potential beneficial effects of massage therapy and its role in maintaining shoulder range of motion.