P01.42. Dose-dependent effects of massage-like loading in an animal model following eccentric exercise

Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were surgically instrumented and underwent a bout of damaging eccentric exercise to the tibialis anterior muscle. Rabbits were randomly assigned to a protocol with massage frequency of 0.25 or 0.50Hz at a compressive force of 5 or 10N for 15 or 30 minutes. The contralateral limb served as the exercised, non-massaged control. A torque-angle relationship was obtained for 21 tibiotarsal joint angles, preand post-exercise, and post four consecutive days of massage (applied by customized device). Peak isometric torque was the primary outcome variable. Muscle wet weight and histological analysis were also performed at the end of the protocol.