Effects of Sports Massage and Thai Massage on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness and Recovery

This study investigated the effects of sports massage and modified traditional Thai massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and recovery following strenuous exercise in healthy, physically inactive young men. The study used a randomized, three-condition, three-period crossover design. Participants completed an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle soreness and subsequently received one of three recovery interventions: sports massage, modified traditional Thai massage, or passive recovery. Each participant underwent all three conditions in a randomized sequence, with a washout period between experimental sessions. The recovery interventions were administered approximately six hours after exercise. Muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold, flexibility, vertical jump performance, and perceived physical performance were assessed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The study aimed to compare the effects of the two massage approaches with passive recovery on perceived muscle soreness, mechanical pain sensitivity, and functional recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy male volunteers aged 18-30 years. * Physically inactive or sedentary individuals who did not regularly participate in structured exercise or sports training. * Ability and willingness to complete the exercise protocol, recovery interventions, and follow-up assessments. * Provision of written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury within the preceding six months. * Regular participation in structured exercise or sports training. * Medical conditions or positive responses on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) indicating that participation in the exercise protocol could be unsafe. * Contraindications to massage or strenuous physical exercise.