The increase in the number of running fans has made it one of the most popular activities in the world in recent years. Running requires repeated contractions, imposing a great mechanical load and tension on the lower limbs. As a result of the increase in shear stress, tissue can be altered, inducing neuromuscular functional impairments, damage to muscle fibers, edema, and muscle pain. Insufficient recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage impairs performance. To minimize the deleterious effects of muscle pain, research seeks to investigate which recovery technique is more effective. Among recovery strategies, local percussive massage using devices has gained notoriety in clinical practice. Some of the benefits of its use are the decrease in pain, gain in strength and increase in range of motion. Data on the effectiveness of percussive massage are satisfactory but incipient. There is a wide variety with respect to the methods and population used. Systematic studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of percussive massage using portable devices as a recovery technique in recreational runners.

To evaluate the effectiveness of percussive massage on muscle pain in recreational runners using a portable device. Secondary objectives are to investigate muscle fatigue, general perceived effect, and performance after running.

This is a randomized clinical trial with a follow-up period of 72 hours. Athletes who run at least 6.5 km continuously and aged between 18 and 60 years will be included. Those who presented any medical condition not compatible with the study procedures, severe metabolic or cardiorespiratory disorders, musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limbs in the last 6 months, abrasions on the thigh, cramps during the evaluations and/or any change in sensitivity will be excluded. Immediately after the end of the race, the first evaluation session (pre-intervention) will be held, and participants will be evaluated for the level of muscle soreness (VAS), muscle fatigue (VAS), general perceived effect and performance (single-legged vertical jump). At the end of this process, percussive massage will be performed in the experimental group with a gun on the anterior part of the thigh, with a frequency of 55 Hz, for 10 minutes. In the control group, light and oscillatory pressure will be applied to the skin, simulating joint mobilization in the hip and knee, for 5 minutes each. Assessments of pain, fatigue and perceived general effect will be performed after the race, post-intervention, and 24h, 48h and 72h after the end of the intervention. The performance evaluation will be carried out in the pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 48 hours. The sample size was calculated using the R software. 86 participants will be needed to carry out the study.