ABSTRACT:
Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of self-stretching transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and functional massage on the recovery of muscle contraction force from muscle fatigue caused by sustained isotonic contraction. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The subjects of this study, 45 healthy students using Primus RS, were divided into three groups of 15 subjects based on the treatment receive: TENS, self-stretching, and functional massage. We observed the shifting pattern of changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) after sustained isotonic contraction caused muscle fatigue in the thigh muscle quadriceps. The two-way ANOVA was used in order to compare the MVIC between groups and time. Findings: The differences between the groups did not appear to be significant. However, MVICs were greatly increased in all the groups, respectively, after TENS, self-stretching, and functional massage were administered, indicating that each treatment may be effective in aiding the recovery process of muscle fatigue caused by sustained isotonic contraction. Improvements/Applications: The findings demonstrate that all three techniques examined in this study are effective in recovering the rapid recovery of muscle fatigue after exercise.