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Evidence summaries

Post-Exercise Massage for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Massage might possibly have some potential in reducing symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness, but the data are controversial. Level of evidence: "D"

A systematic review 1 including 7 studies with a total of 132 subjects (including 4 RCTs with 94 subjects) was abstracted in DARE. Of the 4 RCTs one study was inconclusive, one showed no significant difference, and the other two suggest a positive trend of massage.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (small sample size, lack of randomisation, limited information provided in abstract) and by inconsistency (variability in results across studies).

    References

    • Ernst E. Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med 1998 Sep;32(3):212-4. [PubMed] [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords