Comparison between cold water immersion and sports massage in muscle recovery among elite soccer players/ Nur Rabiatulnabilah Rebinor

The main purpose of this findings was to identify either cold water immersion or sports massage are the fastest towards muscle recovery on delayed onset muscle soreness. Sample size for this study was 18 (N=18) male elite soccer players and age between 18-19 years old. Delayed on set muscle soreness was measured by range of motion (ROM) immediately after match, 30 minutes, 24 hours and 48 hours after cold water immersion and sports massage treatments. The result from the findings stated that cold water. immersion and sports massage showed significant improvement in muscle recovery on range of motion. The most effective method was sports massage because it showed the greater difference in mean than cold water immersion. This suggests that sports massage is a faster recovery method for delayed on set muscle soreness and may improve musculoskeletal system thus improving sports performance.