Percussive Massage Therapy and Muscle Architecture

Karadeniz Technical University40 enrolled

Overview

Percussive massage therapy (PMT) is widely used in therapeutic and athletic settings, but its effects on muscle architecture are not yet fully understood. This study aims to examine the acute effects of PMT applied to the plantar flexor muscles on the muscle architecture of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles in healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a PMT group or a control group. Ultrasonographic assessments will be performed before and after the intervention to evaluate muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length. The findings of this study may help clarify the acute effects of PMT on muscle structure.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Muscle Architecture

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 18 and 30 years Exclusion Criteria: * History of any surgical procedure * Hospitalization for any reason within the last two years * Hospital admission for treatment purposes within the last six months * Use of any medication within the last three months * History of congenital, neurological, orthopedic, rheumatologic, or cardiopulmonary pathology or anomaly * Presence of any known serious systemic disease * Current health-related complaints or symptoms * Body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Muscle Architecture

Changes in gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscle architecture, including muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length, are assessed using ultrasonography.

Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention