The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that
postexercise massage elevates limb blood flow. This study
adds to the previous body of knowledge as massage was
seen to produce significant increases in SKBF and ST compared
with the control trial. These results suggest that without
an increase in FABF there is the potential for some
muscle blood flow to be diverted to the cutaneous circulation.
However, MT and BLa data in this cohort would
suggest a limited metabolic and/or thermoregulatory impact
of any muscle blood flow diversion. These results question
the efficacy of postexercise massage of muscle in the recovery
process from a physiological perspective.