Paula Urio Bender1, Clarissa Medeiros da Luz1, Jonatan M Feldkircher1, Guilherme S Nunes2. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Center of Health and Sport Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, Center of Health and Sport Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil; La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: nunesguilherme@live.com.
Abstract
QUESTION: Does massage therapy reduce pain and perceived fatigue in the quadriceps, and improve the mood and physical performance of runners after habitual sporting activity (10-km run)? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded assessment. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight runners after sporting activity (10-km run). INTERVENTION: The experimental group received 10 minutes of massage to the quadriceps aimed at recovery following sport practice, and the control group received a sham joint mobilisation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain and perceived fatigue were each assessed using a 0-to-10 numerical rating scale; pain behaviour via the McGill Pain Questionnaire; mood profile via Brunel Mood Scale; quadriceps muscle flexibility using maximal knee flexion angle via inclinometer; isometric muscle strength of knee extensors via hand-held dynamometry; and vertical jump performance using jump height via My Jump 2 app. Evaluations were carried out immediately before and after the intervention, and at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the intervention. Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate a between-group difference (95% CI) using data across all time points. RESULTS: The experimental group had significantly lower scores than the control group on the numerical rating scale for pain by 0.7 points (95% CI 0.1 to 1.3). There were no significant between-group differences for any of the other outcome measures. CONCLUSION:Massage therapy was effective at reducing pain intensity after application to the quadriceps of runners compared to a sham technique, but the magnitude of the effect was small. There were no significant effects on perceived fatigue, flexibility, strength or jump performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-393m7m.
RCT Entities:
QUESTION: Does massage therapy reduce pain and perceived fatigue in the quadriceps, and improve the mood and physical performance of runners after habitual sporting activity (10-km run)? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded assessment. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight runners after sporting activity (10-km run). INTERVENTION: The experimental group received 10 minutes of massage to the quadriceps aimed at recovery following sport practice, and the control group received a sham joint mobilisation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain and perceived fatigue were each assessed using a 0-to-10 numerical rating scale; pain behaviour via the McGill Pain Questionnaire; mood profile via Brunel Mood Scale; quadriceps muscle flexibility using maximal knee flexion angle via inclinometer; isometric muscle strength of knee extensors via hand-held dynamometry; and vertical jump performance using jump height via My Jump 2 app. Evaluations were carried out immediately before and after the intervention, and at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the intervention. Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate a between-group difference (95% CI) using data across all time points. RESULTS: The experimental group had significantly lower scores than the control group on the numerical rating scale for pain by 0.7 points (95% CI 0.1 to 1.3). There were no significant between-group differences for any of the other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Massage therapy was effective at reducing pain intensity after application to the quadriceps of runners compared to a sham technique, but the magnitude of the effect was small. There were no significant effects on perceived fatigue, flexibility, strength or jump performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-393m7m.