Publications
Effectiveness of massage chair and classic massage in recovery from physical exertion: a pilot study
Authors: Ivi Vaher 1, Anna-Liisa Tamm 1, Marit Salus 1, Kirkke Reisberg 1, Aleksandra Vahi 2, Helena Pallon 1, Andra Paeste 1, Bathel-Betty Pirk 2, Margus Merila 2, Thomas Schrader 3
Affiliations:
- Physiotherapy and Environmental Health Department, Tartu Health Care College, Tartu, Estonia
- Vocational Education Department, Tartu Health Care College, Tartu, Estonia
- Technische Hochschule Brandenburg, University of Applied Sciences, Department of Informatics and Media, Brandenburg, Germany
Journal: Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation - March 2023, Volume 7, Pages 8-15 (DOI: 10.29328/journal.jnpr.1001050)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Treatment evaluation
- Warm-up / Recovery
- Fatigue / Overtraining
Quick and cost-effective recovery is foundational to high-quality training and good competition results in today’s sports.
The aim of the research was to elucidate the effects of hand and massage chair massage on the biomechanical parameters of muscles of lower limbs and back, indicators of Pain Pressure Thresholds (PPT) and subjectively perceived fatigue.
A total of 32 female recreational athletes (18 – 50 years old) were assigned to a hand massage, massage chair, or lying down group. They were measured for muscle biomechanical properties (MyotonPRO), PPT (Wagner Instruments) and subjectively perceived fatigue (VAS scale) before and after fatigue tests and treatment. The recovery procedure and subjective satisfaction with treatment were rated on a Likert scale.
Changes in the median value of m. rectus femoris and m. gastrocnemius stiffness with treatment showed that hand massage could be more effective in reducing stiffness, as compared to chair massage.
Hand massage may have benefits for recovery from physical exertion, but due to the individuality of subjects, detailed methodological studies are needed to evaluate the effects of massage chair vs. hand massage.
Hand massage may have benefits for recovery from physical exertion. However, due to the individuality of people (including within the muscles), detailed methodological studies are needed to evaluate the effects of MC massage vs. HM. It must also be considered that different methods for recovery from physical exertion may be suitable to different people due to individuality – any generalization may be incorrect.