The Analysis of the Impact of 5-minute Massage Session on the Muscle Stiffness and Tone

The Analysis of the Impact of 5-minute Massage Session on the Muscle Stiffness and Tone: a Randomised Control Trial

The study design was a randomised, controlled, parallel, two-arm trial. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the study groups: the intervention group or the control group. The passive mechanical properties, i.e. the stiffness and tone of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (dominant leg) were assessed. Measures were taken twice: in the intervention group before and after the 5-minute massage session, and in the control group at the beginning of the meeting and again after 5 minutes.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 5-minute massage, applied to healthy individuals, may change the passive mechanical muscle properties, which supposedly may prevent MSDs. The study is carried out on the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles because of their accessibility and crucial role in locomotion. MyotonPRO and TMG S2 devices were used to assess the stiffness and radial muscle displacement of the gastrocnemius muscle respectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age between 19 and 24 years;
• healthy individuals, with no lower limb pathology;
• PA≥600 MET-min/week assessed by IPAQ questionnaire;
• no medical contraindication of massage therapy;
• body mass index 18,5 < BMI ≤ 25kg/m2
• signing the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant women;
• individuals suffering from neurologic or orthopaedic problems;
• lower limb surgical interventions;
• cancers;
• musculoskeletal disorders
• body mass index 18,5 > BMI ≥ 25kg/m2
• the lack of informed consent.