Abstract

Background: To date, only a few studies have attempted to monitor the changes in antioxidant enzyme levels by using massage devices. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of massage on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (antioxidant) in undergraduate students of Olabisi Onabanjo University. Methods: Ten (10) Subjects from Physiology department, Olabisi Onabanjo University were recruited for the study via personal contact. The participants received vibratory massage on the back for 10 days. Data from 10 participants were used for analysis. All subjects were apparently healthy as confirmed by their medical history and were not taking any medications. Results: There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the antioxidant enzyme SOD level while a non-significant decrease (p>0.05) in Catalase level in the subjects under experiment when results at the end of experiment was compared to baseline result. Conclusion: The result of this present study showed that vibratory massage hammer may be an effective strategy for reducing oxidative stress and free radicals are eliminated and also useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidation: stress, pain, injury.

Keywords: Vibratory Massager, SOD, Catalase, and Students