Percussive Massage Therapy and Muscle Architecture
Acute Effects of Percussive Massage Therapy Applied to Healthy Individuals on Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Karadeniz Technical University
40 participants
Nov 17, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Summary
Percussive massage therapy (PMT) is widely used in therapeutic and athletic settings, but its effects on muscle architecture are not yet fully understood. This study aims to examine the acute effects of PMT applied to the plantar flexor muscles on the muscle architecture of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles in healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a PMT group or a control group. Ultrasonographic assessments will be performed before and after the intervention to evaluate muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length. The findings of this study may help clarify the acute effects of PMT on muscle structure.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- Aged between 18 and 30 years
Exclusion Criteria8
- History of any surgical procedure
- Hospitalization for any reason within the last two years
- Hospital admission for treatment purposes within the last six months
- Use of any medication within the last three months
- History of congenital, neurological, orthopedic, rheumatologic, or cardiopulmonary pathology or anomaly
- Presence of any known serious systemic disease
- Current health-related complaints or symptoms
- Body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher
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Interventions
Percussive massage therapy is applied to the plantar flexor muscle groups of both legs for 8 minutes using standardized procedures.
Locations(1)
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NCT07367243