Aims: 

To investigate the effects of leg massage on cardiac autonomic activity assessed by heart rate variability following a bout of Cycling Exercise at 80%HR_max (CE).

Methods: 

HRV was measured for 5mins in a supine position pre- 20mins CE in six healthy males (21.5 ± 3.4yrs) using the Polar Precision Performance software (Polar Electro, Finland). On completion of CE, subjects received either a manual leg massage (MM), vibratory leg massage (VM), or rested (R) in a supine position for 20mins. HRV was then measured again for 5mins.

Results: 

Compared to post exercise Rest, heart rate for MM and VM were lower (Figure 1). This was accompanied by a significant decrease in an indicator of sympathetic activity (LFnorm) and increase in parasympathetic activity (HFnorm). LF:HF Ratio, which is an indication of sympatho-vagal balance, also decreased indicating a parasympathetic effect exerted by both manual and vibratory leg massage. In contrast, during R, heart rate and LFnorm were higher and HFnorm lower and not significantly different from Pre-Exercise.

Conclusion: 

Leg massage is effective at decreasing cardiac sympathetic and increasing parasympathetic activity, thus inducing a relaxation effect following a bout of cycling exercise.