The Comparison of Three Recovery Methods (Active, Passive, Sport Massage) on 800 m and 1500 m Records in Collegiate Middle Distance Runners

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three recovery methods (active, passive, sport massage) on 800 m and 1500 m records in collegiate middle distance runners. For this purpose, 20 male middle distance runners aged between 19 and 25 participated in this study voluntarily. The study performed for 2 weeks and 7 sessions. Between bouts and in the first and fourth sessions of 800 m and 1500 m running, passive recovery was used; in the second and fifth sessions, active recovery (stretching) was used and in the third and sixth sessions, sport massage recovery (in quadriceps, hamstring, gluteus and gastrocnemius muscles) was used. For statistical analysis of data, analysis of variance with repeated measures and LSD post hoc tests were used. Data analysis showed that sport massage, active and passive recovery had a significant effect on increasing 800 m and 1500 m running time records (P0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in received records between passive and sport massage recovery and also between passive and active recovery (P0.05). As subject's time record in 1500 m running was better after sport massage and active recovery compared with passive recovery and their time record in 800 m running was betterafter sport massage compared with active and passive recovery, it is suggested that rest intervals such as sport massage recovery be used in 800 m running and in exercises with higher activity time, active recovery and sport massage be used. Furthermore, the time of recovery must be considered as well.