Abstract
Muscle disuse and subsequent muscle loss are common consequences of injury. Various forms of skeletal muscle mechanical stimulation have been found to be helpful in preserving muscle mass and function during disuse. Recently, percussive massage devices have become popular devices for the application of mechanical stimulation. PURPOSE: This study investigated the potential benefits of percussive massage to mitigate muscle loss during a period of limb immobilization. METHODS: Seventeen healthy young adults (ages 18-35) underwent a 10-day period of immoblization of the right leg. Participants were randomly assigned to either a percussive massage group (n=9), receiving twice-daily 20-minute sessions on the right thigh, or a control group (n=9) receiving no treatment. MRI imaging and muscle biopsy data was collected 14 days before the start of the disuse period, and 24 hours after the last session from the participant’s treated thigh. RESULTS: Percussive massage did not prevent the decline in muscle mass during a 10-day period of muscle disuse. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vastus lateralis (VL) at 50% of the femur exhibited a similar decrease after 10 days of limb unloading in both groups (control group = -5.20%; massage group = -6.63%; pCONCLUSION: Percussive massage does not appear to mitigate muscle atrophy during limb immobilization.
Recommended Citation
Cox, Austin D.; Hyldahl, Robert; Kofoed, David; and Bartling, James
(2024)
"The Effect of Percussive Massage on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy During Limb Immobilization,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14:
Iss.
4, Article 52.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/52
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