Study on thalassotherapy for muscle damage and muscle fatigue

This study from Catholic Kwandong University investigated the effect of deep sea water thalassotherapy (TSWTT) on recovery from muscle fatigue and muscle damage. The same exercise program was performed in both normal water and deep-sea water to evaluate the specific properties of deep-sea water on recovery.

The study involved 30 male college students who were divided into three groups: a control group (CG), a water training group (WTG) and a deep-sea water training group (TSWTG). The TSWTT program consisted of three phases - warm-up, treatment and cool-down - and included a 25-minute treatment with stretching exercises and massages of the entire body in a deep-sea water tank.

After the TSWTT program, blood tests were performed to measure muscle fatigue parameters (glucose, lactate, ammonia, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and muscle damage enzymes (creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)).

Muscle fatigue parameters showed a significant main effect as well as a strong interaction with lactate, ammonia and LDH levels, while glucose levels remained unchanged. Post-analysis revealed a significant reduction of these parameters in TSWTG compared to KG and WTG. The muscle damage enzymes CK and AST also showed a significant main effect and interaction. Post-analysis showed a significant reduction of CK and AST in the TSWTG compared to KG and WTG.

The TSWTT program showed a significant effect on the reduction of muscle fatigue and muscle damage. When used in combination with hot springs, it could have a positive effect on recovery and contribute to improving overall health and quality of life . Further studies are needed to investigate the effect under different conditions, such as temperature, training duration and frequency of treatment.