Swedish Massage Duration Boosts Taekwondo Athletes’ Dynamic Balance

A study from Turkey, aimed at enhancing the performance of Taekwondo athletes, delved into the effects of varying durations of Swedish massages on both static and dynamic balance at different times of the day. The findings reveal significant improvements in dynamic balance, with the application of longer massage durations, highlighting the potential benefits for athletes’ pre-competition routines.

Athletes and Protocols

Twelve experienced Taekwondo athletes, each with over five years of regular practice, were recruited for this comprehensive investigation. The study subjected the athletes to a series of static and dynamic balance tests under distinct massage protocols:

1. A no-massage protocol (NMP).
2. A five-minute massage protocol (5MMP).
3. A ten-minute massage protocol (10MMP).
4. A fifteen-minute massage protocol (15MMP).

These massage protocols were administered twice a day, during the morning (08:00-12:00) and in the evening (16:00-20:00), on non-consecutive days, allowing for a thorough assessment of the impact of massage duration and timing on balance.

Key Findings

The results of this study show a discernible influence of massage duration on dynamic balance, particularly concerning the right foot. Taekwondo athletes who received the 10 minute or 15 minute massage demonstrated a significant enhancement in dynamic balance compared to those in the No massage group. Notably, these improvements were independent of the time of day when the massages were administered.

Implications for Athletes

These findings underscore the potential advantages of incorporating short-duration Swedish massages into Taekwondo athletes’ pre-competition routines. The improved dynamic balance observed in athletes receiving longer massages suggests that such treatments may be particularly beneficial for athletes seeking to optimize their performance in this sport.