Assessments of forearm muscular demands and perceived exertions for different massage techniques of the Swedish-type massage

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in massage practitioners is prevalent due to physically demanding nature of massage practice. Given that changes in massage techniques may occur over the course of a day to accommodate for fatigued muscles and the use of proper techniques may also be compromised with fatigue to the musculature of the upper extremity, research regarded the effects of different massage techniques on muscular demands needed to be further explored. In this study, nine male participants performed four Swedish-type massage techniques including effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction on a same client. The muscular demands for different techniques were assessed with surface EMG positioned over four forearm muscles of dominant arm including flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and extensor digitorum. Perceived exertions were also collected for different techniques using Borg CR 10 scale. The results indicated that there are significant differences among forearm muscle and massage technique on muscular demands. Similar massage technique effects on perceived exertions were also observed in current study. In addition, there is statistically significant interaction effect between forearm muscle and massage technique on muscular demands. To reduce muscular load which is a potential risk factor associated with the development of WRMSDs based on the results of this study, the time to perform friction and tapotement techniques during a massage session could be extended to prevent overexertion of muscular demands required for the petrissage and effleurage techniques.