Acute Effects of Percussive Massage Intensity on Change-of-Direction Performance, Vertical Jump Kinetics, and Neuromuscular Performance Across Morning and Evening Sessions in Trained Male Football Players

EKEN Ö., Demiralp İ., Arslanoğlu B., Aslan T. V., Eken İ., Yagin B., ...Daha Fazla

Medicina (Lithuania), cilt.62, sa.3, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 62 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/medicina62030439
  • Dergi Adı: Medicina (Lithuania)
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: circadian rhythm, dose–response, explosive power, football, massage gun, percussive massage, vibration therapy, warm-up
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background and Objectives: Percussive massage devices (PMDs) are increasingly used as warm-up tools to enhance neuromuscular performance; however, evidence regarding the optimal intensity and its interaction with circadian variation remains limited. This study examined the acute effects of two percussive massage intensities (low: 28 Hz; moderate: 35 Hz) compared with no massage on change-of-direction (COD) performance, vertical jump kinetics, and neuromuscular variables in trained male football players across morning and evening sessions. Materials and Methods: Eighteen trained male football players completed a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design involving three protocols (no massage, 28 Hz, and 35 Hz) performed in both morning (09:00–11:00) and evening (17:00–19:00) sessions following a standardized warm-up protocol. COD performance (T-Test and Illinois COD Test), countermovement jump height, and model-derived kinetic variables were assessed. Results: Significant main effects of the protocol were observed for T-test performance, jump height, velocity-related variables, and kinetic outcomes (p < 0.001; large effect sizes), with both percussive massage intensities outperforming the no-massage condition. Significant protocol × time-of-day interactions emerged for jump height, force, and impulse-related variables (p < 0.05), indicating greater morning-specific benefits following moderate-intensity (35 Hz) massage. The Illinois COD Test showed no significant protocol-related changes. Conclusions: Acute percussive massage enhances COD performance and vertical jump-related outcomes in trained football players. While both intensities are effective for general performance enhancement, moderate-intensity massage (35 Hz) appears to be more effective for optimizing force–time characteristics and attenuating morning-related performance decrements. These findings support the inclusion of intensity- and time-specific percussive massage strategies in warm-up routines.