WARM UNDERWATER WATER-JET MASSAGE IMPROVES RECOVERY FROM INTENSE PHYSICAL EXERCISE

The effects of warm underwater water-jet massage on neuromuscular func tioning, selected biochemical parameters (serum creatine kinase, lacti c dehydrogenase, serum carbonic anhydrase, myoglobin, urine urea and c reatinine) and muscle soreness were studied among 14 junior track and field athletes. Each subject spent, in a randomized order, two identic al training weeks engaged in five strength/power training sessions las ting 3 days. The training weeks differed from each other only in respe ct of underwater water-jet massage treatments. These were used three t imes (20 min each) during the treatment week and not used during the c ontrol week. During the treatment week continuous jumping power decrea sed and ground contact time increased significantly less (P < 0.05) an d serum myoglobin increased more than during the control week. It is s uggested that underwater water-jet massage in connection with intense strength/power training increases the release of proteins from muscle tissue into the blood and enhances the maintenance of neuro-muscular p erformance capacity.