Immediate effects of sports massage on muscle strength, power and balance after simulated trail running in the cold

Purpose Despite the efficacy of sports massage as a recovery strategy is still debated and most research suggests minor effects, little is known about the potential effects on recovery after exercise in a cold environment. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 13 male trail runners (30 years, range 23–37) who ran on a treadmill inside a climatic chamber at 5 °C, for 15 min uphill (15%) at 40% of the maximum aerobic velocity (VAM), followed by 15 min downhill (− 15%) at 70% of the VAM. After the run, sports massage was performed on a randomized anterior and posterior thigh for 10 min total. Assessments were performed before the run (t0) and after the massage (t2), and results were compared with the non-treated lower limb, including single-leg isometric strength and jump, balance, skin temperature and pain. Results Sports massage was associated with increased anterior thigh skin temperature (p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.455) and improved single-leg balance (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.452) and pain (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.509), whereas a non-significant effect was found for isometric strength and jump. Conclusions The results from this study suggest that sports massage performed in a cold environment after uphill–downhill running might reduce the effects of fatigue on balance and perceived pain and might be useful to promote recovery after strenuous exercise.