Arsovski Denis
Department of Physical Therapy, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola, Higher Medical School Bitola, Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia.
Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2025 Jun 12;18(2):40-51. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v18i2.1139. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Deep tissue massage has been used in sports for improving performance and recovery on deep muscle layers. This study looks at its effectiveness across different sports, performance, and recovery.
To assess the effect of deep tissue massage on muscle recovery and performance improvement across different sports, teams, strength, endurance, and individual sports.
A randomized controlled trial design was used, and 150 athletes aged 18-45 years received bi-weekly 40-min deep tissue massage for 8 weeks. Performance improvement, muscle recovery, and flexibility were measured with objective and subjective assessments. Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and Tukey's post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis.
Team and strength athletes in this study showed the greatest performance improvement, in contrast to individual and endurance athletes (F = 6.61, p = 0.004). Bi-weekly massage sessions showed better recovery outcomes (χ = 9.41, p = 0.0243). Longer massage sessions showed increased flexibility (χ = 19.77, p < 0.001). Gender differences were found in perceived effectiveness of massage (χ = 9.46, p = 0.024). Also, the intervention showed improvement in muscle strength and flexibility, especially in the lumbar region, knee, and shoulder, focusing on the effects of the massage protocol in joint mobility and muscle function.
Deep tissue massage therapy improves athletic performance and muscle recovery, especially for team and strength sports. With regular and continuous massage sessions, flexibility and recovery are improved among athletes.
深层组织按摩已被应用于体育运动中，用于改善深层肌肉层的运动表现和促进恢复。本研究考察其在不同运动项目、运动表现和恢复方面的有效性。
评估深层组织按摩对不同运动项目、团队、力量、耐力和个人运动项目中肌肉恢复和运动表现提升的影响。
采用随机对照试验设计，150名年龄在18 - 45岁的运动员接受为期8周、每两周一次、每次40分钟的深层组织按摩。通过客观和主观评估来测量运动表现提升、肌肉恢复和柔韧性。使用卡方检验、方差分析和Tukey事后检验进行统计分析。
与个人和耐力运动员相比，本研究中的团队和力量型运动员表现出最大的运动表现提升（F = 6.61，p = 0.004）。每两周一次的按摩疗程显示出更好的恢复效果（χ = 9.41，p = 0.0243）。更长时间的按摩疗程显示柔韧性增加（χ = 19.77，p < 0.001）。在按摩的感知效果方面发现了性别差异（χ = 9.46，p = 0.024）。此外，该干预措施显示出肌肉力量和柔韧性的改善，特别是在腰部、膝盖和肩部，重点关注按摩方案对关节活动度和肌肉功能的影响。
深层组织按摩疗法可提高运动表现和促进肌肉恢复，特别是对于团队和力量型运动项目。通过定期持续的按摩疗程，运动员的柔韧性和恢复能力得到改善。
