TY - JOUR T1 - Effect of lower limb massage on electromyography and force production of the knee extensors JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 114 LP - 118 DO - 10.1136/bjsm.2005.019075 VL - 40 IS - 2 AU - A M Hunter AU - J M Watt AU - V Watt AU - S D R Galloway Y1 - 2006/02/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/2/114.abstract N2 - Objective: To evaluate the effect of massage on force production and neuromuscular recruitment. Methods: Ten healthy male subjects performed isokinetic concentric contractions on the knee extensors at speeds of 60, 120, 180, and 240°/s. These contractions were performed before and after a 30 minute intervention of either rest in the supine position or lower limb massage. Electromyography (EMG) and force data were captured during the contractions. Results: The change in isokinetic mean force due to the intervention showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) at 60°/s and a trend for a decrease (p  =  0.08) at 120°/s as a result of massage compared with passive rest. However, there were no corresponding differences in any of the EMG data. A reduction in force production was shown at 60°/s with no corresponding alteration in neuromuscular activity. Conclusions: The results suggests that motor unit recruitment and muscle fibre conduction velocity are not responsible for the observed reductions in force. Although experimental confirmation is necessary, a possible explanation is that massage induced force loss by influencing “muscle architecture”. However, it is possible that the differences were only found at 60°/s because it was the first contraction after massage. Therefore muscle tension and architecture after massage and the duration of any massage effect need to be examined. ER -