Efektivitas kombinasi sports massage dan stretching dalam mengembalikan fleksibilitas otot pasca-aktivitas fisik

Physical activity with moderate to high intensity may cause muscle fatigue and a decrease in flexibility due to increased muscle tension and tissue stiffness following exercise. This condition may affect movement performance and increase the risk of injury if an appropriate recovery process is not implemented. One of the approaches that may support muscle flexibility recovery is a combination of sports massage and stretching. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of combining sports massage and stretching in restoring muscle flexibility after physical activity. This study employed a quantitative approach using an experimental method. The research subjects received a combination of sports massage and stretching treatment after performing physical activity, and muscle flexibility was measured before and after the intervention using an appropriate flexibility assessment instrument. The data were analyzed by comparing changes in flexibility scores before and after the intervention. The results showed that the combination of sports massage and stretching produced positive changes in muscle flexibility following physical activity. Sports massage contributed to reducing muscle tension and promoting tissue relaxation, while stretching helped maintain and improve joint range of motion. Therefore, the combination of these two methods can be considered as one of the recovery interventions to assist in restoring muscle flexibility after physical activity. This study is expected to provide a reference for coaches, athletes, sports practitioners, and physically active individuals in implementing effective recovery strategies.