Effects of Manual Massage on Muscle-Specific Soreness and Single Leg Jump Performance After Downhill Treadmill Walking

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the effect of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness of quadriceps muscles and single leg vertical jump performance after downhill treadmill walking. Methods: Seven moderately active females (age: 19 ± 1 yr, height: 168 ± 3 cm, body mass: 63.9 ± 5.5 kg) completed a 20 min downhill walk (speed: 6.4 km·h-1, gradient: –25%) as they carried a load equal to 10% of their body mass followed by one leg receiving massage for 25 min. Before, 24, 48 and 72 hr after downhill walking, delayed onset muscle soreness on a scale of 1-10 from rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles and changes in single leg vertical jump performance were measured for both legs. Results: Delayed onset muscle soreness was reduced by massage 48 hr post-exercise in the RF and VL (P<0.05) but not in the VM. Jumping performance of each leg declined after downhill walking (P<0.001). At 24 hours, jumping height was decreased by 19% and 21% in control and massaged leg, respectively (P<0.05). However, at 48 and 72 hr post-exercise, the massaged leg showed improved recovery in jumping performance. Conclusions: Reductions in delayed onset muscle soreness of quadriceps muscles by massage after downhill walking were muscle-specific. Massage improved functional recovery after downhill walking.