Gecikmiş Kas Ağrısında Masaj Tabancası ile Uygulanan Perküsyon Terapisinin Kas Mimarisi, Kuvvet Bileşenleri ve Basınç Ağrı Eşiğine Etkisi

Abstract

One of the most common side effects following unaccustomed exercise is delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). In recent years, the use of massage guns as a post-exercise recovery method has become increasingly popular. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of percussion therapy applied with massage gun during DOMS on muscle architecture, strength components, and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Ten strength-trained male participants (age: 22.7±3.2 years; body weight: 85.6±12.2 kg; height: 180.2±6.7 cm) were included in the study. The study was designed with a crossover approach, where DOMS was induced via eccentric exercise in the quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle groups of both legs, four weeks apart. Only one leg received percussion therapy (PT) using a massage gun alongside the DOMS protocol. The legs receiving only DOMS treatment were categorized as the DOMS group, while the legs receiving both DOMS and PT were categorized as the DOMS+PT group. Muscle thickness and pennation angle of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris were evaluated using ultrasonography, peak torque and fatigue index were assessed through isokinetic testing, and PPT was measured using an algometer at baseline, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise. In the DOMS+PT group, a significant increase in vastus lateralis muscle thickness was observed (p<0.05), while no significant difference was found in biceps femoris muscle thickness in either group (p>0.05). No significant change was detected in the pennation angle of either group (p>0.05). Peak torque values showed a significant reduction over time in knee extension only in DOMS group (p<0.05). Peak torque value of knee flexion significantly decreased at 24 hours in the DOMS group (p<0.05). Both in knee extension and flexion peak torque, the difference in percentage changes between the groups was significant at 24 hours (p<0.05). In the DOMS+PT group, no significant decrease was observed in peak torque values for either extension or flexion (p>0.05). A group*time interaction was observed for the fatigue index in knee flexion, with a tendency for a reduction and stabilization in the DOMS+PT group, while an increase was seen in the DOMS group, especially after 24 hours. In PPT measurements, a significant decrease was noted over time in both groups (p<0.001), but no significant difference was found between the groups (p>0.05). These results suggest that massage gun may be effective in mitigating the loss of muscle function associated with DOMS, but it has partial effects on muscle architecture.