Heavy resistance training induces to symptoms of muscle damage which include delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Some strategies (i.e. massage) have been used to attenuate these symptoms and to reduce discomfort associated with DOMS. This study aimed to investigate the effects of classical massage on DOMS perception, limb girth (CIR), range of motion (ADM) and maximum strength performance (1-RM) after a muscle damage protocol. Eighteen males were divided into three groups (G1= massage-only, G2= protocol-only, G3= protocol + massage) according to their 1-RM values. DOMS-inducing protocol consisted of 30 supramaximal eccentric contractions (6 sets of 5 repetitions at 110% 1RM). Immediately after the protocol, classical massage was performed in G3 for 6 minutes. DOMS, CIR, ADM were assessed 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after the muscle damage protocol, and maximum strength was evaluated only after 48 and 96 hours. Results showed increase in DOMS and reduction in ADM and 1-RM values, in agreement with other studies using similar procedures. However, there was no difference between G2 and G3 in any of the assessed variables. It can be concluded that the muscle damage protocol used in this study was effective in causing alteration in the dependent variables observed. However, classical massage was not effective to minimize the symptoms associated to exercise induced muscle damage.
training; strength; eccentric contraction
