Background Delayed onset muscle soreness has been consistently studied, and special attention has been given to possible techniques capable to prevent it or to accelerate muscle recovery. This study aimed to assess the acute effects of classic muscle massage before a session of strength training on biochemical markers of delayed onset muscle soreness.

Methods Twenty-four healthy men with no history of strength training were randomized into two groups, one submitted to a classic muscle massage technique before strength training exercises (n=12; 23.54±1.94years, 21,57±2,64kg/m²); and a control group with no muscle massage before the strength training exercises (n=12; 22.57±1.65years, 22.25±1.23kg/m²). Classical manual massage was applied to muscle groups involved in strength exercises (biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris) with 10-min duration for each muscle group. Strength training session consisted in two exercises: elbow flexion and knee extension at an intensity of 85% of one maximum repetition (6 to 10 repetitions, four sets). Muscle damage biochemical markers (creatine kinase; lactate dehydrogenase, and C reactive protein) were assessed by venous blood samples from the antecubital vein before exercise (1st collect), immediately after exercise (2nd collect), 24 and 48 hours later (third and fourth collect). Experimental protocol was conducted in the laboratory of the Center of Experimental Design of the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley, Brazil.

Results No significant differences were observed between muscle massage before the strength training exercises and control for the creatine kinase (p=0.380), lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.700), and C reactive protein (p=0.292) at all moments.

Conclusions The presents results suggest that delayed onset muscle soreness induced by two classical strength training exercises, is not prevented or attenuated by muscle massage before exercise.