Exploring the Impact of Percussive Massage in Muscle Recovery

A study investigated the emerging recovery treatment of percussive massage (PM), specifically its effects following eccentric exercise. The research focused on the maximal isometric torque, range of motion, and soreness of the nondominant arm’s biceps brachii in a group of seventeen untrained, college-aged subjects. Nine of these subjects received one minute of percussive massage, compared to eight who rested quietly as a control group. Measurements were taken before the eccentric exercise and after the treatment at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. The study also included electromyographic and mechanomyographic amplitude measurements during maximal isometric torque testing.

The findings showed no significant changes in maximal isometric torque, electromyographic, or mechanomyographic amplitudes, but there were noticeable effects on range of motion and soreness. The percussive massage group had higher range of motion values than the control group from 24 to 72 hours post-exercise, with a faster return to pre-exercise levels. Additionally, while soreness levels did not differ significantly before treatment between the two groups, the percussive massage group experienced a reduction in soreness following each treatment, resulting in lower soreness levels compared to the control group from 24 to 72 hours post-exercise.

The study concluded that percussive massage treatments may improve range of motion without affecting isometric strength or muscle activation from 24 to 72 hours post-exercise. Although the percussive massage treatments did not enhance recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness until 72 hours, they consistently provided immediate, temporary relief when used 24 to 72 hours post-exercise.

This research is among the first to explore the effects of percussive massage treatments following eccentric exercise on maximal isometric torque and range of motion over a period of 24 to 72 hours post-exercise. The study provides insights into the potential benefits of percussive massage as a recovery tool, especially in terms of improving range of motion and providing temporary relief from muscle soreness.