The effects of pre-exercise massage and dry cupping on selected skill-related fitness components, and psycho-cognitive functioning in athletes

Massage and dry cupping are two pre-competition modalities that are used to help improve athletes’ performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pre-exercise massage and dry cupping on selected skill-related fitness components, and psycho-cognitive functioning in athletes.

Twelve male athletes (age: 22.25±1.8 years, weight: 84.2±14.8 kg, height: 1.8±0.1 m) volunteered to participate in this study. In a Quasi-experimental randomized counterbalanced crossover design, they performed three test sessions at the same time of day, one week apart: after dry cupping, after massage, and after no intervention. Ten minutes after each intervention, explosive power, speed, agility, and cognitive performance were measured and the subjects completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Data were analyzed using RM-ANOVA and the statistical significance level was set at p≤0.05.

The data indicated that power significantly increased after dry cupping compared to massage and no intervention (p≤0.05), however the speed and agility were not significant anymore (p˃0.05). Both dry cupping and massage caused a significant increase in the Tower of London test scores (p≤0.05). Finally, there were no significant differences among three interventions in the positive and negative mood states (p˃0.05).

Findings of the present study suggest that pre-exercise massage and dry cupping may improve physical and mental performances of athletes, but it does not affect their mood.