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Leabeater AJ, Clarke AC, James L, Huynh M, Driller M. Under the Gun: Percussive Massage Therapy and Physical and Perceptual Recovery in Active Adults. J Athl Train 2024; 59:310-316. [PMID: 37248364 PMCID: PMC10976339 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0041.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Handheld percussive massage devices (ie, massage guns) are a relatively new and under-researched recovery tool. These tools are intended to increase range of motion and reduce muscle soreness by delivering targeted vibration to soft tissues. Empirical knowledge about the potential influence of these devices on perceptual recovery and the recovery of performance characteristics after exercise is scarce. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of a 5-minute massage gun application, using a commercially available device, on physical and perceptual recovery after a strenuous bout of lower body exercise. DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. SETTING Physiology laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 65 active young adults (age = 21.3 ± 1.4 years; age range = 18-30 years; 34 women: height = 165.8 ± 6.1 cm, mass = 66.0 ± 7.4 kg; 31 men: height = 181.1 ± 6.0 cm, mass = 81.5 ± 11.8 kg). INTERVENTION(S) Participants applied a massage gun on the calf muscles of 1 leg after strenuous exercise (massage gun recovery group) for 5 minutes and used no recovery intervention on the other leg (control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Ankle range of motion, calf circumference, isometric strength, calf endurance, and perceived muscle soreness measures were collected at baseline and at various points after lower body exercise. RESULTS No significant group × time interactions were recorded for any of the performance or perceptual measures (P values > .05). Effect sizes were mostly unclear, except for a small increase in perceived muscle soreness in the massage gun recovery group compared with the control group immediately (d = -0.35) and 4 hours (d = -0.48) postrecovery. CONCLUSIONS Massage guns appeared to have little effect on physical measures when applied for 5 minutes immediately after strenuous calf exercise. Given the small increase in muscle soreness up to 4 hours after their use, caution is recommended when using massage guns immediately after strenuous lower body exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana J. Leabeater
- Sport, Performance and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services, and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthea C. Clarke
- Sport, Performance and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services, and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lachlan James
- Sport, Performance and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services, and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Minh Huynh
- Sport, Performance and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services, and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Driller
- Sport, Performance and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services, and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Sarac DC, Kocak UZ, Bayraktar D, Gucenmez S, Kaya DÖ. The Effects of 2 Different Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Male Recreational Athletes: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sport Rehabil 2024; 33:63-72. [PMID: 38086367 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2023-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Soft tissue mobilization is frequently employed for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) management. Foam roller and percussive massage are 2 popular soft tissue mobilization methods preferred by various professionals. However, their effects on DOMS symptoms are controversial and there are no studies comparing these 2 methods. The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of soft tissue mobilization with a foam roller or a percussive massage device on DOMS in young male recreational athletes. DESIGN A parallel, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. METHODS Thirty-six participants (median [interquartile range 25/75]; age: 20.0 [19.3/21.0] y) were randomly allocated to percussive massage group (n = 12), foam roller group (n = 12), and control group (n = 12). First, a fatigue protocol targeting quadriceps femoris was performed. Then, participants received soft tissue mobilization with foam roller/percussive massage or rested for 10 minutes according to their groups. Pain and fatigue were evaluated by a visual analog scale, and the skin surface temperature of over the quadriceps femoris was measured with thermal camera imaging. Evaluations were performed at baseline, following fatigue protocol, at 24th hour, and at 48th hour. Changes from the baseline at 24th and 48th hours were compared between groups. RESULTS No significant between-group differences were observed at the assessments performed at 24th or 48th hour regarding the changes from baseline in pain (P value for 24th hour = .905, P value for 48th hour = .733), fatigue (P value for 24th hour = .895, P value for 48th hour = .606), or skin surface temperature measurements (P values for 24th hour = between .300 and .925, P values for 48th hour = between .311 and .750). CONCLUSIONS Soft tissue mobilizations applied with foam roller or percussive massage device do not seem to be superior to passive resting in alleviating DOMS symptoms in recreational athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devrim Can Sarac
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir Katip Celebi University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Umut Ziya Kocak
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir Katip Celebi University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Deniz Bayraktar
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir Katip Celebi University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sercan Gucenmez
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Derya Özer Kaya
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir Katip Celebi University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey
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Ferreira RM, Silva R, Vigário P, Martins PN, Casanova F, Fernandes RJ, Sampaio AR. The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2023; 8:138. [PMID: 37754971 PMCID: PMC10532323 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8030138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of massage guns has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although their use is more and more common, both in a clinical and sports context, there is still little information to guide the practitioners. This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of massage guns in healthy and unhealthy populations as pre- and post-activity or part of a treatment. Data sources used were PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, and the study eligibility criteria were based on "healthy and unhealthy individuals", "massage guns", "pre-activity, post-activity or part of a treatment" and "randomized and non-randomized studies" (P.I.C.O.S.). Initially, 281 records were screened, but only 11 could be included. Ten had a moderate risk of bias and one a high risk of bias. Massage guns could be effective in improving iliopsoas, hamstrings, triceps suralis and the posterior chain muscles' flexibility. In strength, balance, acceleration, agility and explosive activities, it either did not have improvements or it even showed a decrease in performance. In the recovery-related outcomes, massage guns were shown to be cost-effective instruments for stiffness reduction, range of motion and strength improvements after a fatigue protocol. No differences were found in contraction time, rating of perceived exertion or lactate concentration. Massage guns can help to improve short-term range of motion, flexibility and recovery-related outcomes, but their use in strength, balance, acceleration, agility and explosive activities is not recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Maia Ferreira
- Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, Physical Fitness, Sports and Exercise Department, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal; (R.M.F.); (R.S.); (P.V.); (P.N.M.)
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Physioterapy Department, Rua 5 de Outubro, São Martinho do Bispo, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Dr. Lopes Dias Health School, Physioterapy Department, Avenida do Empresário, 6000-767 Castelo Branco, Portugal
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal
| | - Rafael Silva
- Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, Physical Fitness, Sports and Exercise Department, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal; (R.M.F.); (R.S.); (P.V.); (P.N.M.)
| | - Pedro Vigário
- Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, Physical Fitness, Sports and Exercise Department, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal; (R.M.F.); (R.S.); (P.V.); (P.N.M.)
| | - Pedro Nunes Martins
- Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, Physical Fitness, Sports and Exercise Department, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal; (R.M.F.); (R.S.); (P.V.); (P.N.M.)
| | - Filipe Casanova
- Center for Research in Sport, Physical Education, Exercise and Health (CIDEFES), Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Ricardo Jorge Fernandes
- Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto, Center for Research, Training, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
| | - António Rodrigues Sampaio
- Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, Physical Fitness, Sports and Exercise Department, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal; (R.M.F.); (R.S.); (P.V.); (P.N.M.)
- Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto, Center for Research, Training, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- Sports Department, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, University of Maia, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
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