Brief Summary

This study investigated the effects of sports massage and modified traditional Thai massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and recovery following strenuous exercise in healthy, physically inactive young men. The study used a randomized, three-condition, three-period crossover design. Participants completed an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle soreness and subsequently received one of three recovery interventions: sports massage, modified traditional Thai massage, or passive recovery. Each participant underwent all three conditions in a randomized sequence, with a washout period between experimental sessions. The recovery interventions were administered approximately six hours after exercise. Muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold, flexibility, vertical jump performance, and perceived physical performance were assessed at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The study aimed to compare the effects of the two massage approaches with passive recovery on perceived muscle soreness, mechanical pain sensitivity, and functional recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.

Trial Health

On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline

Completed

Started Dec 2023

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach

1 country

1 active site

Status

completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

2 months study duration

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 11, 2023

Completed

2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 31, 2024

Completed

Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 31, 2024

Completed

2.7 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 17, 2026

Completed

6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 23, 2026

Completed

Last Updated

October 23, 2026

Status Verified

October 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

October 17, 2026

Last Update Submit

October 17, 2026

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Keywords

Delayed Onset Muscle SorenessSports MassageThai MassagePlyometric ExerciseRecovery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

Change From Baseline in Muscle Soreness at 24 and 48 Hours
Muscle soreness at rest was assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Measurements were obtained before the plyometric exercise protocol and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise in each of the three experimental periods. Changes from baseline were compared among sports massage, traditional Thai massage, and passive recovery conditions. Higher scores indicate greater perceived muscle soreness.
Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period

Secondary Outcomes (10)

Change From Baseline in Sit-and-Reach Flexibility at 24 and 48 Hours
Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period
Change From Baseline in Hands-Free Vertical Jump Height at 24 and 48 Hours
Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period
Change From Baseline in Hands-on-Hips Vertical Jump Height at 24 and 48 Hours
Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period
Change From Baseline in Perceived Physical Performance at 24 and 48 Hours
Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period
Change From Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold of the Right Quadriceps at 24 and 48 Hours
Baseline (before exercise), 24 hours, and 48 hours after exercise in each experimental period.
+5 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (6)

Sequence ABC: Sports Massage → Thai Massage → Passive Recovery

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to Sequence ABC received sports massage in Period 1, traditional Thai massage in Period 2, and passive recovery in Period 3. Each intervention lasted 20 minutes and was administered approximately six hours after the standardized plyometric exercise protocol. Experimental periods were separated by an approximately one-week washout interval.