Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a frequent problem after unaccustomed exercise. No universally accepted treatment exists. Massage therapy is often recommended for this condition but uncertainty exists about its effectiveness. AIM To determine whether post-exercise massage alleviates the symptoms of DOMS after a bout of strenuous exercise. METHOD Various computerised literature searches were carried out and located seven controlled trials. RESULTS Most of the trials were burdened with serious methodological flaws, and their results are far from uniform. However, most suggest that post-exercise massage may alleviate symptoms of DOMS. CONCLUSIONS Massage therapy may be a promising treatment for DOMS. Definitive studies are warranted.