Impact of Different Recovery Strategies on Perceived Fatigue and Recovery Experience
1
Physiotherapy and Environmental Health, Tartu Applied Health Sciences University, Tartu, Estonia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Lower limb fatigue impairs performance and delays recovery in high-demand sports. Athletes require rapid recovery, as insufficient rest increases the risk of overuse injuries and muscle stiffness1,2. Manual massage is widely used but requires skilled personnel and time, prompting interest in device-based methods such as massage chairs. Mechanical devices may offer advantages including accessibility, cost-effectiveness, personalization, and unrestricted time use3,4, yet evidence comparing manual and device-based recovery modalities remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fatigue-inducing exercise and three recovery strategies—hand massage, massage chair, and passive lying—on perceived fatigue and recovery experience.
METHODS:
A randomized within-subject design was used. Ten female premier-league football players (mean age 21.4 ± 2.7 years; VO₂max 48.7 ± 6.7 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) completed a standardized fatigue protocol followed by three recovery interventions in counterbalanced order: hand massage, massage chair, and passive rest. A minimum of 48 hours separated sessions. Each intervention lasted 15 minutes. Perceived fatigue was measured post-exercise, post-intervention, and at 24 hours using a visual analog scale. Recovery effectiveness and pleasantness were rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
RESULTS:
Fatigue significantly increased in all muscle groups post-exercise (p ≤ 0.012). Following interventions, fatigue decreased most after hand massage, with massage chair producing moderate reduction; passive rest was least effective. At 24 hours, fatigue remained above baseline in all conditions (p ≤ 0.017), though massage chair yielded lower fatigue, suggesting sustained benefit. Hand massage received the highest ratings for perceived effectiveness and pleasantness and showed the greatest likelihood of reuse.
CONCLUSIONS:
Hand massage provides the strongest immediate reduction in perceived fatigue, while massage chair demonstrates more prolonged recovery benefits over 24 hours. Massage chairs may therefore serve as an accessible alternative to manual techniques when resources or trained personnel are limited.
Lower limb fatigue impairs performance and delays recovery in high-demand sports. Athletes require rapid recovery, as insufficient rest increases the risk of overuse injuries and muscle stiffness1,2. Manual massage is widely used but requires skilled personnel and time, prompting interest in device-based methods such as massage chairs. Mechanical devices may offer advantages including accessibility, cost-effectiveness, personalization, and unrestricted time use3,4, yet evidence comparing manual and device-based recovery modalities remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fatigue-inducing exercise and three recovery strategies—hand massage, massage chair, and passive lying—on perceived fatigue and recovery experience.
METHODS:
A randomized within-subject design was used. Ten female premier-league football players (mean age 21.4 ± 2.7 years; VO₂max 48.7 ± 6.7 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) completed a standardized fatigue protocol followed by three recovery interventions in counterbalanced order: hand massage, massage chair, and passive rest. A minimum of 48 hours separated sessions. Each intervention lasted 15 minutes. Perceived fatigue was measured post-exercise, post-intervention, and at 24 hours using a visual analog scale. Recovery effectiveness and pleasantness were rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
RESULTS:
Fatigue significantly increased in all muscle groups post-exercise (p ≤ 0.012). Following interventions, fatigue decreased most after hand massage, with massage chair producing moderate reduction; passive rest was least effective. At 24 hours, fatigue remained above baseline in all conditions (p ≤ 0.017), though massage chair yielded lower fatigue, suggesting sustained benefit. Hand massage received the highest ratings for perceived effectiveness and pleasantness and showed the greatest likelihood of reuse.
CONCLUSIONS:
Hand massage provides the strongest immediate reduction in perceived fatigue, while massage chair demonstrates more prolonged recovery benefits over 24 hours. Massage chairs may therefore serve as an accessible alternative to manual techniques when resources or trained personnel are limited.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
