Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveMassage is ubiquitous in elite sport and increasingly common at amateur level but the evidence base for this intervention has not been reviewed systematically. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of massage on measures of sporting performance and recovery.Design and eligibilityWe searched PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane to identify randomised studies that tested the effect of manual massage on measures of sporting performance and/or recovery. We performed separate meta-analyses on the endpoints of; strength, jump, sprint, endurance, flexibility, fatigue and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).ResultsWe identified 29 eligible studies recruiting 1012 participants, representing the largest examination of the effects of massage. We found no evidence that massage improves measures of strength, jump, sprint, endurance or fatigue, but massage was associated with small but statistically significant improvements in flexibility and DOMS.ConclusionAlthough our study finds no evidence that sports massage improves performance directly, it may somewhat improve flexibility and DOMS. Our findings help guide the coach and athlete about the benefits of massage and inform decisions about incorporating this into training and competition.

Dealing with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Foam Roller or Mechanical Manipulation of Body Tissue

“…This is similar to previous studies [19,41], who report that ROM has not recovered for short term and does not have any substantial effect on it. These findings, in turn, are also similar to previous studies [13,14], where both treatments show no beneficial effects on muscle function. Therefore, increasing blood flow to provide oxygen and other substances needed for the damaged tissue to regenerate is clearly not adequately effective by massage and FR.…”

“…The consequence of previous studies [13][14][15] showed that there was no significant effect on the elbow flexion range of motion of SM and FR that prove ROM has not recovered for short term and does not have any substantial effect on it. They found that where both treatments show no beneficial effects on muscle function.…”

“…After post-exercise massage, researchers [19] have shown reductions in pain associated with DOMS. While there is no proof that SM specifically improves performance, it can improve flexibility and DOMS somewhat [13]. The outcomes help guide the coach and athlete about the effects of massage and inform decisions about implementing it into preparation and competition.…”

Comparison of Interventional Strategies to Improve Recovery after Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue

“…MT is ubiquitous in elite sports and is becoming increasingly common at the amateur level, but the evidence base for this intervention has not been systematically reviewed. A recent study by Davis et al have emphasized on the difficulty of standardizing treatment but suggested a possible improvement in flexibility and DOMS [ 42 ]. It should be noted that the differences found between the treated and untreated leg support the use of these techniques.…”

Gulat: dampak sweden massage terhadap kecepatan recovery pasca latihan intensitas tinggi

“…Dengan melakukan gosokan yang diberikan dipermukaan kulit mempercepat aliran darah yang mengakibatkan pertukaran oksigen dan karbondioksida serta darah di pembuluh darah yang akan mempercepat keluarnya asam laktat. Massage juga secara signifikan dapat mengurangi kelelahan otot (Davis, Alabed, & Chico, 2020).…”