Effect of single session sports massage on running performance of track athletes

Today’s regime of competitive sport is very intensive and often causes athletes to become fatigued. A massage is generally defined as the mechanical manipulation of soft tissues using rhythmically applied moves and pressures with the purpose of enhancing health and well-being. Therapeutic massage is believed to increase muscle mass blood flow and muscle tissue temperature, thereby enhancing performance. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of single session sports massage on running performance of track athletes. The subjects for the present study were inter-collegiate and inter-University level track athletes pursuing Graduation in Karnataka during 2024-25. Sprinters, middle-distance and long distance runners were selected for the present investigation. Their age ranged between 18 to 28 years. Exclusion criteria included athletes with prominent health ailments and sports injuries. Sports massage interventions were carefully selected by the researcher on the basis of reviews gone through and expert suggestions. The pre-performance effects of massage protocol on running performance were assessed in the present investigation. The investigator himself took time trial for 100m, 1500m and 3000m run in ideal conditions after adequate warm-up on DAY 1. The athletes gave their best performance during this time trial. After a gap of seven days, on DAY 8 a Massage session was conducted by the investigator as per pre-determined massage protocol. Immediately after massage session, each athlete gave another time trial. Single session Massage intervention do not have any profound effect on 100m, 1500m and 3000m running performance of inter-collegiate level track athletes.