Fatkur Rohman Kafrawi, Heri Wahyudi, Yuni Fitriyah Ningsih, Farjana Akter Boby, Afif Rusdiawan, Farizha Irmawati, Akhmad Dimyati, Made Pramono
Background and Study Aim Short-term recovery occurs between successive exercise bouts in intermittent sports. Intense exercise is followed by metabolic accumulation, inflammatory responses, and increased muscle discomfort. Static stretching and massage are used as recovery strategies after exercise. Despite the use of these approaches, their relative effectiveness in enhancing acute recovery remains a subject of practical consideration. This study examined whether a sequenced combination of static stretching followed by massage enhances acute recovery more than single-modality interventions or passive rest. Material and Methods Forty-eight male collegiate football players (19–22 years) were randomly allocated to sport massage (SM), static stretching (SS), sequenced combination (SC), or passive control (CON). Participants completed an incremental treadmill test to induce metabolic and inflammatory stress. A 10-minute recovery intervention was applied immediately post-exercise. Blood lactate, interleukin-6 (IL-6), creatine kinase (CK), perceived muscle pain (VAS), and knee flexion range of motion (ROM) were assessed pre-exercise, post-exercise, and post-recovery. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA (post-exercise as a covariate), one-way ANOVA of change scores, and linear mixed-effects models (p < 0.05). Results No baseline differences were observed between groups (p ≥ 0.724). Significant Group × Time interactions were detected for lactate, IL-6, CK, VAS, and ROM (p ≤ 0.003; η2p = 0.20–0.28), indicating distinct recovery trajectories. After adjustment for post-exercise values, SC showed lower post-recovery lactate (5.18 mmol·L-1) compared with CON (8.74 mmol·L-1; p < 0.001; d = 0.96) and SS (7.01 mmol·L-1; p = 0.004; d = 0.71). IL-6 and CK were significantly reduced in SC compared with CON (p ≤ 0.003; d = 0.82–0.88). Perceived pain was markedly lower in SC (2.4 cm) than in CON (5.6 cm; p < 0.001; d = 1.02). ROM improved most in SC (Δ +3.2°), exceeding SS and CON (p ≤ 0.039). Change-score analyses confirmed a greater recovery magnitude in SC across all outcomes (η2 = 0.33–0.44). A sequenced stretch–massage protocol produces superior short-term metabolic, inflammatory, and perceptual recovery compared with passive rest. It also demonstrates moderate advantages over single-modality strategies. This approach offers a practical and physiologically supported recovery method for intermittent sport settings. © Fatkur Rohman Kafrawi, Heri Wahyudi, Yuni Fitriyah Ningsih, Farjana Akter Boby, Afif Rusdiawan, Farizha Irmawati, Akhmad Dimyati, Made Pramono, 2026.
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh; Sport & Exercise Research Center, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia; Faculty of Exact Sciences and Sports, Universitas Insan Budi Utomo, Indonesia; Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang, Indonesia
