Abstract

The high volume and high intensity associated with training of strength and power athletes often leads to short- and long-term fatigue. Current research shows manual massage has little, if any, beneficial effects. Types of massage evaluated are manual massage, including effleurage, pettrisage, tapotement, and underwater waterjet massage (UWWJM). Dependent variables evaluated include strength and power performance variables, muscle damage, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Studies evaluating the effects of manual massage have been fraught with methodological errors. Failure to standardize treatment protocol, including type, duration, and time course of massage, has limited the value of research to this point. Eccentric exercise protocols have been used to induce DOMS; however, this is not reflective of how strength and power athletes train. Although positive effects of UWWJM have been reported, future study is required to determine the reliability and validity of the results. Future efforts to study massage should focus an evaluating performance variables and muscle damage rather than DOMS, using realistic training programs over a longer time span. A great deal of controversy exists regarding the use of massage to enhance recovery from heavy resistance training (HRT). The lay literature contains a large number of articles prescribing the use of massage as a treatment protocol for athletes. The current use of high-intensity and high-volume training by athletes necessitates the use of means to enhance recovery. These means include coaching, medical/biological, and psychological. Among the medical/biological means to enhance recovery is the use of postexercise massage. Textauszug