Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery



Sports massage is a common term used in high-performance level sports and at the beginners’ level. This has generated a multi-million-dollar industry for professional therapists and massage device manufacturers. If you are looking for a massage in Chelsea, click on the link to get complete details.


The latest study involving 29 eligible studies including 1012 participants studied the effects of sports massage on performance and recovery. This study results showed that

  • Sports Massage could not improve some of the measures of performance like sprint, jump, strength, endurance or flexibility, or fatigue.
  • It was found somewhat helpful in reducing or preventing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
  • A small but significant improvement was seen in flexibility after sports massage.


Though this study couldn’t directly reveal that sports massage has a direct relationship with performance improvement, it may benefit to improve flexibility and DOMS to some extent. These findings help practitioners learn about the benefits of sports massage and convey the benefits to the trainers and competitors.


The effect of sports massage on jump performance


Five studies were conducted to examine the effects of sports massage affects jump performance. Scientists examined the effect of sports massage on the recovery of jumping performance after 300 maximal strength contractions in 16 participants. One of the scientists’ messages was checked immediately after exercise and then daily for 3 days to a single leg with the other used as control. Sports Massage had no significant effect on one-legged jump performance.


The effect of sports massage on sprint performance


Seven studies were conducted to examine the effect of sports massage on sprinting. Scientists examined the effect of effleurage and petrissage as ‘warm up’ before a 20m sprint test. They found that a 9min massage could slow down the sprint times, and there was no recognizable difference between massage and no massage performance.


The effect of sports massage on endurance performance


Three studies were done to examine the effects of massage on endurance. One of the groups reported no significant difference between groups tested with and without massage.


The effect of sports massage on muscle fatigue

Muscle fatigue is a situation when the muscle power is lost due to declining force and velocity which can be revered by doing rest. The massage group reported lower pain and fatigue than the group without massage. To get massage Belgravia-based clients should click on the link and book their appointment.


The effect of sports massage on flexibility

Flexibility is a term defining the range of motion available to a joint or joint series. Some sports benefit from extreme entertaining exercises like ballet and gymnastics, while some sports like running, may make your body took flexible increasing risks to get an injury. Seven studies were conducted to examine the effect of sports massage on flexibility. Scientists investigated the effect of a single hamstring massage on a ‘sit and reach test. There was no significant difference seen between the sports massage group and the group with no massage.



The effect of sports massage on delayed onset muscle soreness-DOMS


DOMS is different but often seen existing with muscle fatigue. DOMS is muscular discomfort felt by athletes after exercise. The intensity of discomfort varies from person to person and increases within 24 to 72hours after doing exercise, subsiding after 5 to 7 days.



According to studies, sports massage benefits athletes as it helps them to recover from both fatigue and DOMS.2 Researchers conducted a systematic review checking after-effects of exercise after a sports massage treatment. They included seven studies and concluded that most of these were burdened with flaws in methods and produced inconsistent results. Scientists found that the massage statistically significantly reduced pain or DOMS symptoms by 13%, although again these studies were inconsistent so the true percentage of benefit remains uncertain.