The Effect of Percussive Massage on the Maintenance of Skeletal Muscle and Vascular Health During Limb Immobilization
The primary aims of this study are to determine the effect of percussive massage (30 min/session, 2 sessions/day, daily) during 10 days of unilateral limb immobilization on preserving muscle, vascular, and mitochondrial function. The following hypotheses will be tested: Hypothesis 1: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of size, strength and endurance over the immobilization period compared to the control group, as measured by MRI, maximal isometric and isokinetic force production and muscle endurance test using Biodex dynamometry. Hypothesis 2: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of vascular function and blood flow compared to the control group as measured by passive leg movement and femoral artery blood flow. Hypothesis 3: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and decrease H2O2 production during immobilization compared to the control group, as measured by high-resolution respirometry.
• 18-50 years old (women are pre-menopausal). We will exclude individuals over the age of 50 because the adaptive capability of skeletal muscle fundamentally changes with older age, and the risk from disuse increases. The findings of this study will help determine the risk benefit relationship of conducting a similar study in older individuals.
• Stable levels of physical activity for at least 6 months
• No history of lower extremity injury that would preclude their ability to perform knee extension exercise