Effects of Massage on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Physical Performance in Female Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

1144 Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can affect training and hinder performance in the professional and amateur athletes. DOMS is characterized by pain in the affected muscle especially with active movement, passive stretching, or direct palpation, along with swelling and muscle stiffness that can last up to six days. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if post-exercise massage has an effect on DOMS and physical performance in female collegiate athletes. METHODS: Following approval of the WVU Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects, 22 female basketball (11) and volleyball (11) players were recruited to participate. Volunteers were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 11) and a treatment group (n = 11). Baseline measures were taken for vertical jump height, a tenyard shuttle run, quadriceps flexibility, and tolerance to deep muscle pressure using a hand held algometer were taken on Day 1 of preseason training. Subjects then carried out their usual preseason training routine. On the day of peak soreness as predicted by the strength and conditioning coach, the treatment group received a massage to each thigh while the control group rested. Each baseline test was repeated both pre and post massage treatment for both groups. All subjects gave a subjective report of pain using a ten-point scale. Paired t-tests were used to assess differences between pre and post intervention measures in both groups (α = 0.05). Pre-trial variance between groups was assessed using the O'Brien test. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in vertical jump displacement (p = 0.0033), perceived soreness (p = 0.0011) and algometer reading on the left side (p = 0.0461) in the treatment group from pre to post treatment was found. The only change for the control group was for shuttle run times (slower, p = 0.0354). The OBrien test verified the assumption of homogeneity among the groups at baseline testing except for quadriceps femoris flexibility on the left (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Vertical Jump height and perceived muscle soreness improved following massage in this pilot study. This study supports the use of massage to reduce the effects of DOMS and improve physical performance in female collegiate athletes.