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Deep Tissue Massage Benefits for Athletes

The study evaluates the effects of deep tissue massage (DTM) on muscle recovery, athletic performance, and flexibility in athletes. Results indicate significant improvements in performance for team and strength athletes, enhanced flexibility with longer therapy durations, and better recovery perception with bi-weekly sessions. The findings support DTM as an effective complementary recovery strategy in sports medicine, particularly for team and strength-based sports.

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81 views4 pages

Deep Tissue Massage Benefits for Athletes

The study evaluates the effects of deep tissue massage (DTM) on muscle recovery, athletic performance, and flexibility in athletes. Results indicate significant improvements in performance for team and strength athletes, enhanced flexibility with longer therapy durations, and better recovery perception with bi-weekly sessions. The findings support DTM as an effective complementary recovery strategy in sports medicine, particularly for team and strength-based sports.

Uploaded by

hayathudeen1707
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Here is a comprehensive summary of the article titled:

"Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: Effects on Muscle Recovery and Performance in Athletes"
Published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Vol. 18, No. 2,
June 2025
Author: Denis Arsovski, MSc

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🔍 Purpose of the Study:


To evaluate the effectiveness of deep tissue massage (DTM) on:

Muscle recovery

Athletic performance

Flexibility in athletes from various sports including team, strength, endurance, and individual
sports.

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🧪 Study Design and Methodology:


Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Participants: 150 athletes (aged 18–45 years)

Duration: 8 weeks

Intervention: Bi-weekly 40-minute deep tissue massage sessions

Measurements: Performance tests, muscle strength (MMT), flexibility (goniometry), and


perceived soreness (VAS)

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📋 Massage Protocol Highlights:


Focused on scapular, lumbar, quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, pectoralis major, and
deltoideus muscles.

Used techniques like effleurage, friction, kneading, vibration, and deep pressure.

Conducted by a certified physiotherapist with over 10 years of experience.

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📊 Key Results:
✅ Performance Improvement:
Team sports and strength athletes showed the highest improvements.

ANOVA: F = 6.61, p = 0.004

Tukey’s test showed significant performance differences:

Team vs Individual sports: +11.6 points (p = 0.003)

Team vs Endurance: +8.4 points (p = 0.032)

✅ Flexibility:
Longer duration of therapy led to significantly higher flexibility gains.

Chi-square: χ² = 19.77, p < 0.001

✅ Recovery Perception:
Bi-weekly massage showed better outcomes than weekly or occasional sessions.

Chi-square: χ² = 9.41, p = 0.0243

✅ Gender Differences:
Women perceived DTM as more effective than men.
Chi-square: χ² = 9.46, p = 0.024

✅ Muscle Strength Gains (MMT):


Most improved regions: Lumbar spine (134 participants), knee (116), shoulder (98), biceps (82),
quadriceps (94), hamstrings (76)

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📚 Comparison with Other Studies:


This study aligns with others (e.g., Gasibat et al., Liza et al., Hassan et al.) supporting massage
for performance, pain relief, and flexibility.

It differs by offering rigorous statistical validation of DTM’s benefits in a structured athletic


environment.

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⚠️ Limitations:
Home-based settings may introduce environmental variability.

Self-reported outcomes (e.g., soreness, perception) may contain bias.

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✅ Conclusion:
Deep tissue massage significantly improves performance, flexibility, and recovery, especially in
athletes engaged in team and strength-based sports.

Long-term and bi-weekly sessions are more effective.

Shows promise as a complementary recovery strategy in sports medicine.


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