Impact Of Massage Leggings On Post-Exercise Recovery And Performance

PURPOSE: Post-exercise recovery plays a valuable role in athletic performance. This project aimed to evaluate the use of dynamic air compression massage leggings (massage leggings) on measures of acute recovery-stress state, muscle fitness, and aerobic fitness. METHODS: A randomized crossover repeated measures design was used, with each participant completing both recovery methods (active recovery and massage leggings). After a strenuous exercise session, participants engaged in active recovery or massage leggings recovery for 20 minutes. Recovery was evaluated approximately 24 hours after each exercise session. Recovery measures included fitness assessments (muscular endurance index, muscular strength, muscular power, aerobic fitness), and perceived recovery-stress state. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare recovery methods (SPSS, v29). An alpha level of p < 0.05 was used for all analyses. RESULTS: Eight participants completed the study (age = 20.7 ± 2.1, BMI = 24 ± 2.5, VO2max = 46 ± 6.9). Muscular endurance index differed significantly between recovery methods (F(1.96, 13.75) = 6.83, P < 0.01) with higher values after massage leggings (27.38 (95% CI, 51.51—3.24), p < 0.05), but non-significant after active recovery (23.13 (95% CI, 47.14—0.09, p > 0.05). Perceived lack of activation differed significantly between recovery methods (F(1.93, 13.48) = 4.009, P < 0.05) with higher values after active recovery (2 (95% CI, 4.05—0.47), p < 0.05), but non-significant after massage leggings (0.63 (95% CI, 2.91— -1 .66), p > 0.05.). Aerobic fitness, muscular power, upper and lower body muscular strength, perceived physical performance capability, mental performance capability, emotional balance, overall recovery, muscular stress, negative emotional state, and overall stress did not differ significantly between active recovery and massage leggings (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Massage leggings may provide benefits for acute recovery by enhancing muscular endurance and reducing feelings of lack of activation post-exercise. However, the absence of improvements in other fitness and recovery metrics suggests massage leggings may not comprehensively outperform traditional active recovery. Supported by: This research was supported by Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Undergraduate Research Foundation Grant.