Author(s): Evangelos Sykaras

Abstract:
Manual massage is a popular and widely used modality for recovery after intense exercise consisting an important part of athletic rehabilitation or preparation for training and competition. Objective: To study the possible effects of manual massage on concentric and eccentric peak torque of knee extensors when applied during intervals of an intense exercise isokinetic protocol which causes exercise-induced muscle damage. Methods: Fourteen elite male Tae Kwon Do athletes were tested twice with a week interval between the two measurements (different extremity each). In each session, the participants performed continuous concentric and eccentric isokinetic exercise (6 sets of l0 repetitions, with 2 minutes intervals). Manual massage was applied during breaks to one extremity (massage extremity) while for the other limb (control extremity) the interval was passive. Peak torque was measured 3 minutes after the last set for both extremities (intervention and control). The same test was performed 3 minutes prior to the first set. The best performance was compared between pre- and post-exercise using Analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results: For both extremities, peak torque (concentric and eccentric) was reduced after the exercise protocol. This reduction was lower in the massage extremity but the between extremities (groups) difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Application of manual massage during isokinetic exercise intervals did not improve peak torque reduction after knee extensors exercise-induced muscle damage.

Pages: 196-199  |  1167 Views  168 Downloads

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