Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
Athletic performance and recovery are closely linked to central nervous system regulation, which can be objectively assessed using electroencephalography (EEG). Although therapeutic massage is widely used as a recovery modality in combat sports, its neurophysiological effects and potential interaction with circadian timing remain poorly understood. This study investigates whether different therapeutic massage modalities applied at different times of the day modulate resting-state EEG activity in taekwondo athletes.
Detailed description
This randomized, within-subject crossover study examines the effects of different therapeutic massage modalities and time of day on resting-state EEG activity in elite male taekwondo athletes. Twelve athletes complete four experimental conditions: no-massage control, friction massage, vibration mechanical massage, and percussion mechanical massage. Each condition is administered during both morning and evening sessions, separated by a minimum 48-hour washout period. Resting-state EEG is recorded immediately following each intervention using a 32-channel system. Power spectral density is computed to extract global band power in delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. The study aims to determine whether massage modality, circadian timing, or their interaction significantly influences cortical oscillatory activity associated with recovery and neural readiness.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFMP
Manual therapeutic massage consisting of rhythmic, sustained friction techniques applied by a certified physiotherapist to the dominant upper extremity muscles. Moderate-to-strong pressure was applied for a total duration of 10 minutes using a standardized intermittent protocol.
DEVICEVMMP
Therapeutic vibration massage delivered using a handheld vibration device set at a fixed frequency of 50 Hz. The device was applied to the dominant upper extremity muscles for 10 minutes to provide localized high-frequency mechanical stimulation.
DEVICEPMMP
Therapeutic percussion massage administered using a handheld percussive therapy device delivering rapid mechanical impulses at approximately 40 Hz. The intervention was applied to the dominant upper extremity muscles for 10 minutes to elicit deep somatosensory stimulation.
Sponsors
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male taekwondo athletes aged 18-25 years * Minimum of 4 years of structured taekwondo training * Training frequency ≥ 5 days/week * Black belt (1st Dan or higher) * No musculoskeletal injury in the past 6 months
Exclusion criteria
* Neurological or psychiatric disorders * Use of stimulant substances or anti-inflammatory medication * Irregular sleep-wake patterns (e.g., shift work) * Withdrawal of consent at any stage
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Global EEG Band Power | Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions. | Log-transformed power spectral density values for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands obtained from resting-state EEG recordings. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Topographical EEG Distribution | Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions. | Spatial distribution of EEG band power across frontal and central scalp regions. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed