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Therapeutic Effects of Ultrasound and Swedish Massage on Post-exercise Muscle Soreness
Banchonglak Sawatdeephuta*, Supitr Samahito*, Jakapong Khaothin*
*Faculty of Sports Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ultrasound and Swedish massage treatment on
Thai students of irrigation engineering, aged 18-21 years, who were experiencing muscle pain after exercise.
They were tested by weighing 80 percent of 1 RM following 30 sets of exercise at 10 repetitions per set. The test
subjects were divided into three groups; the first was treated as the control group, and they received sham
ultrasound treatment. The second group was treated with ultrasound, and the last with a Swedish massage
treatment. The results were measured by range of motion (ROM), levels of creatine kinase in their blood, pain
scale, and tricep circumference. These measurements were taken before exercise, and after, at intervals of 1,
24, 48, and 72 hours. The treatment programs were conducted for four days. Data were then statistically
analyzed by using means, standard deviation, one-way analysis of variance, one-way analysis of covariance,
and multiple comparison testing by Tukey’s method at a 0.05 level of significance.
The results showed that the effect of the three treatment methods (unadjusted intensity of ultrasound,
ultrasound, and Swedish massage) on ROM, pain scale, and arm circumference were significantly different at
the 0.05 level. However, the effect on creatine kinase levels from each treatment showed no significant differ-
ence. The means of creatine kinase levels from Swedish massage treatment increased less than those using
unadjusted intensity of ultrasound or ultrasound treatment methods. Ultrasound and Swedish massage treat-
ments could improve ROM, relieve muscle pain, and decrease arm circumference better than in the control
group.
Key words: ultrasonic treatment, Swedish massage, post-exercise muscle soreness