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This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sports massage on post-exercise fatigue. The meta-analysis method was used in the study. Meta-analysis is a statistical method used to combine the results of different research studies to answer a similar research question. It includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies examining the effect of sports massage on post-exercise fatigue. The study was designed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The findings indicate that sports massage is effective in reducing post-exercise fatigue symptoms and accelerating athletes' recovery processes. Most of the studies included in the analysis demonstrate that sports massage reduces muscle pain, improves muscle function, and minimizes inflammatory responses. However, there are some differences and debates in the research regarding the effectiveness of sports massage. Nevertheless, there is strong evidence overall for the potential of sports massage to reduce post-exercise fatigue and accelerate athletes' recovery processes. However, further randomized controlled trials and research in various populations are needed to optimize the effectiveness of sports massage and standardize application protocols. Future studies should focus on different sports disciplines and athlete profiles to evaluate the effectiveness of sports massage in a broader context.
Karadavut et al. (Sun,) studied this question.