The effect of one session massage in the lower limb muscle on flexibility, power and agility tests performance in soccer players

This study aimed to determine the effect of one session massage of the lower limb on flexibility, power and agility performance tests. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 15 soccer players (age 23.5 ± 2.4 years, height 170.5 ± 3.3 cm, weight 65.5±6.0 kg) were selected randomly to participate in this study. The subjects performed the Sit and Reach, Toe-Touch, Vertical Jump and 4×9 tests in two stages before and after the massage. They warmed up themselves by 5-min jogging before testing. Massage was performed on the lower limbs in both Petrissage and Tapotement methods for 15 minutes. Each test was performed three times and the best record was accepted. To determine the effect of massage on each performance test, the mean values in the preand post-tests were analyzed by paired t-test at P<0.05 level of significance. Results: Results showed a significant increase in flexibility tests records by 7.8 ± 6.3% and 7.9 ± 5.1% for Sit and Reach and Toe-Touch tests, respectively (P<0.05). However, the record of Vertical Jump and 4×9 tests had no significant change. Conclusion: In general, if massage can improve the muscle length without any adverse effects on power and agility muscle performance, this hypothesis can, therefore, be proposed that acute massage is a better technique for warming up before a power or agility event compared to other techniques that reduce power and agility muscle performance.