Massage Helps Bugs Bunny Bounce Back After A Hard Workout
Scientists at the Ohio State University compared the effect of immediate versus delayed massage after exercise.
In the study, 18 mature white rabbits had their hind limb tibialis anterior muscles (in humans, the shin muscle) mechanically stimulated. Following the exercise, one group of rabbits got their shins massaged for 15-minutes by a machine that simulated the long, flowing strokes of Swedish massage. The other group received the treatment 48 hours after exercise. A control group wasn’t massaged.
The results of the study suggested that immediate massage after exercise was effective at improving muscle function and reducing swelling.
The rabbits that received immediate massage had a 60% recovery of lost strength compared with 30% for delayed-massage muscles and 14% for non-massaged muscles.
That said, it’s important to Book a Massage as soon as your muscles feel sore, instead of scheduling days or weeks later. That way, you can bounce back like a rabbit.
Click here to read more about the study.
Source: After Exercise, Massage as Fast as a Rabbit (Wall Street Journal)
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