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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
Participants in the intervention group are provided with the 5-minute massage session in the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (dominant leg).
Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences
Wroclaw, Poland
Changes in maximal displacement of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
The maximal radial displacement is produced in the muscle belly after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in delay time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Delay time is the time in which the muscle displacement increases to 10% after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in contraction time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Contraction time is the time between 10% and 90% of the muscle displacement after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in sustain time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Sustain time is the time between 50% of maximum contraction to 50% of maximum relaxation of a muscle after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in relaxation time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Relaxation time is the time between 90% of maximum contraction and 50% of maximum relaxation of a muscle after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in oscillation frequency of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
The oscillation frequency characterizes the tension of muscle tissue. Measuring device: MyotonPRO
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
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Changes in dynamic stiffness of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
The dynamic stiffness corresponds to the soft tissues' capacity to resist external forces. Measuring device: MyotonPRO
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in logarithmic decrement of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Logarithmic decrement is the dissipation of the tissue oscillation. Measuring device: MyotonPRO
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in mechanical stress relaxation time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Mechanical stress relaxation time is the time needed for the muscle to recover to its initial shape. Measuring device: MyotonPRO
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session
Changes in creep of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle
Creep is the ratio of relaxation (R) and time between the beginning of the mechanical impulse and the time point of maximal displacement Measuring device: MyotonPRO
Time frame: 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session