Tidus, P. M., Dawson, K. A., Dawson, L., Roefs, A., & Bombardier, E. (2004). Massage does not influence muscle soreness or strength recovery following a half-marathon. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 131.

Adult recreational runners (M = 8; F = 4) completed a half-marathon. On days 1-4 after the race, Ss received 30 minutes of standard massage treatment on one leg while the other received none and served as a control. Quadriceps soreness, strength recovery, and swelling reduction were measured for three days before the race and for one week after the race.

On day 1 post-race, all measures were greater than pre-race values with no difference between the massaged and control leg. No differences existed between the legs on days 4-7. Complete recovery had occurred by day 7.

Implication. Massage therapy does not influence leg recovery after a half-marathon race.

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