The impact of protocol designs for using massage guns on countermovement jump performance and lower body isometric strength: A randomised cross-over design study

There are limited studies which consider the impact of massage gun percussive therapy (PT) on jump performance and strength. Protocols in existing studies are heterogeneous highlighting a need to consider the impact of study design on physiological measures. This study aimed to determine the most effective protocol, among the eight being examined, for improving countermovement jump (CMJ) net impulse and lower body isometric strength, and support future research by providing protocol validation. Thirty-five adults followed two protocols; three sessions a week at either 2100 rpm and increasing the speed from session-to-session (1750 to 2100 to 2400 rpm). Massage gun PT was applied to the quadriceps, gluteals, hamstrings and calves of both legs for 60 s per muscle group. Pre- and post-data were collected in all sessions using a hand-held dynamometer and ‘My Jump 2’ app allowing eight protocols to be examined using paired-samples t-tests. The level of significance set for the study was p ≤ 0.05. The most effective protocol for significant gains in CMJ net impulse was applying massage gun PT three times a week at 2100 rpm producing average increases of 3.2%. The most effective protocol for significant isometric strength gains involved incremental speeds across the week (1750 to 2100 to 2400 rpm) offering average increases of 10.1%. These protocols can be used by practitioners and the public to target improvements in CMJ net impulse performance and lower body isometric strength, and by researchers in support of homogenous analysis between future studies.