problem causes
swelling and reduced range of motion, which can impair an athlete's
performance. Though sports massage is routinely recommended for the treatment
of DOMS some authors have concluded that treatment is not effective (Smith et
al., 1994). A major reason why massage is not effective perhaps lies in the
technique. Tiidus et al (1995) incorporates the efileurage technique. Cafarelli
et al. (1992) describes efileurage as involving light gliding movements over
the skin with no attempt to manipulate the deeper tissues. Callaghan et al.
(1993) along with Cafaraelli et al. (1992) agrees that every massage session
should begin and end with efileurage simply because it is a very gentle
technique and should serve as an introductory procedure to the other
techniques. In his review of the literature Tiidus'(1997) fails to mention when
the technique is used; but simply states that efileurage involves light or deep
muscle stroking, which either questions his sources or his ability to use all
necessary information. Massage is not solely skin deep and in order to
effectively perform a massage there must be deep enough penetration to reach
the muscle tissue, otherwise it is useless in this situation. For this reason,
petrissage, is potentially a more effective technique.
Although
many studies questio~sage in reducing DOMS some actually note that massage is
effective. Smith et al. (1994) suggests that sports massage will reduce DOMS
when administered 2 hours after the tennination of eccentric exercise. In his
systematical review Ernst (1998) concludes that massage therapy may be a
promising treatment for DOMS.
Another
troubling factor in many studies is sample size. A small sample size can give
inaccurate and underrepresented results. For example Tidus et al. (1995) uses
only nine (5 female, 4 male) university students. Large 'sample size',
appropriate techniques,
and prolonged observation of subjects may reveal beneficial effects of
massage therapy on reducing DOMS.
Objective
To detemIine if post
exercise petrissage massage technique can reduce delayed onset of muscle
soreness, and if effectiveness of treatment varies with sporting groups.
Hypothesis
HO: DOMS is not reduced by post exercise massage.
HA: DOMS is reduced by post exercise massage.
Methods
1. A survey will be
conducted to eliminate non-desirable subjects to ensure homogeneity of subjects
within sporting groups. This survey will consist of several questions
pertaining to health as listed below:
a) Are you taking any
prescribed or over the counter medicines? If so, please list.
b) Do you have heart
disease or any other heart related problems?
c) Do you have
varicose veins? This question is very important that you answer correctly.
Strenuous exercise may worsen the condition.
d) Do you have any
muscular problems or diseases (with the exception of occasional soreness)?
e) Are you between the
ages of 18-24?
f) Are you currently a
college varsity or club athlete at WVU? If so what sport/s do you participate
in?
g) Do you workout at
least 3X a week? If not what are your activities and how often do you do them?
h) Please state your sex.
i) Please state your
nationality/ies.
j) How many hours a
day do you have any free time?
2. Surveys will be collected and all the potential subjects are sorted
out within sex
into sporting groups. A total of 50 men and 50 women will therefore be
selected. There will be a total of 8 groups. The 8th group will consist of 5
dedicated atWetes who exercise at least 3 times a week (not participants of a
varsity sport). Figure 1.
3. To keep uncontrollable factors out the experiment both the massage
and control group will be working out at the same time. There will be 2 groups
of 25 operating at different times on MWF and there will be 2 more groups of 25
operating at different times on TRS. Each of these groups will have equal
numbers male and female at Wetes.
4. One week prior to the start of the experiment all of these groups
will be tested for maximum reps of 6-8 on each machine being used. The rest of
the week will be used as a recovery stage so the subjects won't have any
pre-soreness to sway the results. None of the subjects will be massaged.
5. The experimental design is shown in Figure 2. On the first day of the experiment a survey will be conducted to determine the mental and physical state levels of all subjects. A soreness survey will not be conducted until after the first workout. Then all of the subjects will be coursed through a warm-up and stretch. This is essential to eliminate any serious muscle pulls. Then, the subjects will go through a series of lifting exercises. Lifting will consist of 3 sets of 10 reps each. The weights will be 45% of the max weight recorded the week before.
6. When lifting has ceased all subjects will be asked to shower and get
dressed. A half- hour will be allowed for this. All together the subjects will
be given a rating scale on soreness levels (Appendix I).
7. Within sporting groups subjects will be randomly assigned to one of
two treatment groups: (a) post-exercise massage (PEM) and (b) no post-exercise
massage (NOPEM) or control. The control will be sent home. The massage group
will be placed in a comfortable furnished room with refreshments, a TV and
personal CD players for approximately 2 hour after lifting.
8. While the massage group is recuperating the next group of 25 will
begin their lifting session and proceed through the same steps as the group
before.
9. When the 2 hours have passed each subject will be given a petrissage
massage (explained earlier, in the introduction) for approximately an hour.
Then the subjects will complete the same soreness scale as the control group
filled out and will then be sent home.
Figure 1
Appendix 1.
PRE EXERSICE SURVEY AND SCALE*
FOR NO PMT
AND PMT GROUPS
PLEASE BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS
1.
Did you feel more
soreness the evening after lifting or the morning after lifting?
2. Do you feel more soreness this morning than
the previous morning?
3. Please use this scale to rate the previous
two nights and two mornings (including this morning) after lifting.
4. Please rate your soreness from 1-5,
I =not sore at all,
2=slight tenderness in muscles, doesn't impair any movements
3=slightly uncomfortable, meaning soreness occurs with over exertion of
body movement, bending down
or reaching up to retrieve something
4=uncomfortable, meaning soreness occurs in daily
activities, picking up children, walking up and down stairs
5=very uncomfortable, meaning soreness is very
restrictive when, for example, getting in and out of bed or chairs (cushioned
or uncushioned)
EVENING ONE:
MORNING ONE:
LAST NIGHT:
THIS MORNING:
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN
*This survey will
start at the beginning of every session after the first one.
THE POST LIFTING
SURVEY WILL JUST CONSIST OF THE SCALE
Figure
2
10. Two days later (the second day of testing) the subjects will be
given a survey before they start their warm up. The survey will consist of the
rating scale and a few questions as to how they felt the 2 nights and morning
before compared to the next morning of testing.
11. The rest of the day will follow steps 5-9. The only difference for
each day of testing thereafter will be that the percent of the max reps taken
at the beginning will increase by 5% on the daily rates. This is done so that
the subjects will not become habituated to the weights they are using. As this
experiment proceeds, each day the subjects will be stronger, therefore enabling
them to handle increasing weights. This will also permit more muscle soreness.
12. This study will be conducted for a total of 3 weeks.
Limitations
1.
On
the off days the subjects will not be allowed to engage in any extra exercise
related activities except those which they do everyday.
2.
This
study is geared towards athletes only; it is sports specific.
Potential Benefits
Using sports massage to reduce DOMS can improve an athlete's overall performance. With physical attributes come mental attributes. An athlete needs to be mentally prepared in order to perform well. When massage is received that individual will know that it will improve his/her body and will in turn convey that through physical performance.
References
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Cafarelli E, Flint F. The role of massage
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Medicine 14 (1): 1-9, 1992
Callaghan Michael J. The role ofmassage in
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(1): 28-33, 1993
Ernst E. Does post-exercise treatment
reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review. British Journal of
Sports Medicine 32: 212-214, 1998
Tiidus PM. Manual massage and recovery of
muscle function following exercise: a
Literature review. Journal of Orthopedic
Sports Physical Therapy 25 (2): 107- 12, 1997
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