Effects of Sport Massage in Preventing Decreased Immunity After Sub-Maximal Physical Exercise

Abstract

Physical exercise with heavy and tiring intensity can cause the formation of free radicals and the potential for oxidative stress. This oxidative stress due to strenuous and exhausting physical exercise is a physiological process that can cause the immune system to become depressed or decrease immune function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sports massage to prevent decreased immunity after sub maximal physical exercise. The study design was an experimental pre and post test group design. The subjects were 20 students from the Department of Sport Science, Universitas Negeri Medan, randomly divided into 2 groups, group 1: given submaximal physical exercise and without sports massage; Group 2: sub-maximal physical exercise and given a sports massage. The results showed that the values of leukocytes and lymphocytes in the sub-maximal exercise group given sports massage were lower than the sub-maximal physical exercise group and without sports massage (p <0.05). Sub maximal physical exercise accompanied by sports massage can prevent a decrease in immunity.