The Acute Effect of Pre-event Lower Limb Massage and Warm Up on Explosive Power

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of research was to investigate into the effect of pre-event sports massage and warm-up on peak power output of games players when performing a squat jump. Methods Seven members of Cardiff Metropolitan University Rugby 1st XV (all males), participated in an independent paired T-test designed experiment, to analyse peak power out puts of the squat jump, pre and post massage intervention. Two pre-event modalities were followed; 1) warm up alone 2) warm up and a 12 minute pre-event sports massage. The massage consisted of fast superficial techniques aimed to stimulate the quadriceps muscle group. The passive stretching that took place within the 12 minute massage intervention consisted of two stretches each held for ten seconds and repeated three times. Peak power output was assessed both pre and post massage intervention; this was calculated using the Gym/Aware equipment and software. Results The results produced from the tests were statistically analysed using a paired T-test within SPSS. With a significance accepted at p < 0.05, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the two different mean scores of the two modalities used in this research, with a significant difference score of p < 0.007. Conclusion It can be concluded that pre-event sports massage and passive stretching are still inconclusive topics areas within sports research. Until more definite answers can be produced athletes should take into consideration that although there are no proven negative effects massage and stretching may not significantly affect their performance