[P3-0789] Effects of long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction on hamstring flexibility：a randomized controlled trial
Keywords:massage, flexibility, hamstring
【Purpose】Single massage at the musculotendinous junction improves hamstring flexibility. However, this effect does not continue more than three-minutes after interventions. Whether the long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction improves hamstring flexibility remains unclear. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect of long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction on hamstring flexibility.
【Methods】Thirty-seven healthy men participated in this study. Either right or left leg of the subjects was randomly assigned to the massage group or the control group. The participants were taught self-massage at the musculotendinous junction to be done three minutes per day and five times a week for 12 weeks. We measured the hamstring flexibility and stretch tolerance. All outcomes measured prior to the massage intervention, after 6 and 12 weeks intervention by blinded an examiner.
【Results】The maximum hip flexion angle（MHFA）and the maximum passive pressure（MPP）of the after 6 and 12 weeks intervention in the massage group were significantly higher than prior to intervention, and the after 12 weeks interventions of the MHFA and the MPP were significantly higher than the after 6 weeks interventions. The visual analog scale（VAS）of the MHFA, the hamstring stiffness, and the musculotendinous junction and muscle belly stiffness of the both groups did not change over 12 weeks period.
【Discussion】The long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction improved the MHFA and the MPP. In contrast, the VAS of the MHFA, the hamstring stiffness, and the musculotendinous junction and muscle belly stiffness did not change. Our results suggest that the long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction does not improve hamstring flexibility. However, this intervention can improve the stretch tolerance. Moreover, we found the massage for 12 weeks at the musculotendinous junction improves the stretch tolerance more than the 6 weeks.
【Methods】Thirty-seven healthy men participated in this study. Either right or left leg of the subjects was randomly assigned to the massage group or the control group. The participants were taught self-massage at the musculotendinous junction to be done three minutes per day and five times a week for 12 weeks. We measured the hamstring flexibility and stretch tolerance. All outcomes measured prior to the massage intervention, after 6 and 12 weeks intervention by blinded an examiner.
【Results】The maximum hip flexion angle（MHFA）and the maximum passive pressure（MPP）of the after 6 and 12 weeks intervention in the massage group were significantly higher than prior to intervention, and the after 12 weeks interventions of the MHFA and the MPP were significantly higher than the after 6 weeks interventions. The visual analog scale（VAS）of the MHFA, the hamstring stiffness, and the musculotendinous junction and muscle belly stiffness of the both groups did not change over 12 weeks period.
【Discussion】The long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction improved the MHFA and the MPP. In contrast, the VAS of the MHFA, the hamstring stiffness, and the musculotendinous junction and muscle belly stiffness did not change. Our results suggest that the long-term massage at the musculotendinous junction does not improve hamstring flexibility. However, this intervention can improve the stretch tolerance. Moreover, we found the massage for 12 weeks at the musculotendinous junction improves the stretch tolerance more than the 6 weeks.