Effects of Massage on Alpha Motoneuron Excitability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the specificity of the effects of massage (petrissage) on spinal motoneuron excitability as measured by changes in the peak-to-peak amplitude of H-reflex recordings. H-reflexes (and M-responses) were recorded from the distal aspects of the right triceps surae muscle of 8 men and 8 women, aged 20 to 37 years, with no neuromuscular impairments of the lower extremities. The H-reflexes were recorded during five control and four experimental conditions (20 trials at each condition). The control conditions (C1-C5) preceded and followed each experimental condition, providing a measure of the stability of the H-reflex. Each experimental condition consisted of a 4-minute period of massage of the ipsilateral and contralateral triceps surae and hamstring muscle groups (ITS, CTS, IHS, and CHS, respectively). The mean peak-to-peak amplitude of the H-reflex was found to be stable (range = 1.91-1.95 mV) across the five control conditions. H-reflex amplitudes recorded during the experimental conditions indicate that massage of the ITS resulted in a reduction of the H-reflex (0.83 mV) in comparison with the pretest control condition (C1) and the remaining experimental conditions (range = 1.77-2.23 mV). This difference was significant, and subsequent Newman-Keuls tests indicated a specificity of the effects of massage on the muscle group being massaged. [Sullivan SJ, Williams LRT, Seaborne DE, Morelli M. Effects of massage on alpha motoneuron excitability.

Roller-Massager Application to the Quadriceps and Knee-Joint Range of Motion and Neuromuscular Efficiency During a Lunge

“…21 The roller massager has been suggested to act as a self-myofascialrelease technique similar to massage. 4 Massage has been reported to suppress H-reflexes, [22][23][24] thereby decreasing the afferent excitation of the target motor neurons. 25 Further research is necessary to determine the precise mechanisms underlying the increased ROM associated with roller massage and foam rolling.…”

The efficacy of manual versus local vibratory massage in promoting recovery from post-exercise muscle damage – A systematic review

“…Despite the evidence MM has been shown to increase blood flow to the muscle (Kerschan-Schindl et al, 2001), reduce sympathetic stimulation favouring muscle relaxation (Turnbull et al, 1982), suppress the H-reflex (Sullivan et al, 1991), the finding of this systematic review showed that none of the four RCTs included in the review, revealed a positive outcome. While the sample size was small (n=4), this does indicate that an attenuation of the loss of flexibility induced by EIMD, is not supported.…”

“…In terms of a possible mechanism, Morelli et al (1990) and Sullivan et al, 1991 propose that the kneading action and pressure exerted on the GTO during LVT, reduces the H-reflex via suppression of the central nervous system owing to a decrease in motor neuron pool excitability (Anderson et al, 2008).…”

Efeitos da Liberação Miofascial Sobre a Flexibilidade: uma Revisão Sistemática

“…Neste cenário, é possível observar três pontos: 1) presença de mecanorreceptores dentro do tecido muscular e fascial, os quais exercem efeitos inibitórios 14,29,30 ; 2) modulação central da percepção de dor 28,31 ; 3) analgesia induzida pelas técnicas de terapias manuais, principalmente, pelo aumento da liberação hormonal, como do canabidiol endógeno. Todos esses pontos destacados permitem que o indivíduo aumente a sua percepção/tolerância ao estiramento, o que consequentemente permite um maior arco articular.…”