ABSTRACT
This experimental study aimed to determine the effects of the combined application of regular exercises and massage on the values of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NOx), Glutathione (GSH), Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Twenty five sedentary women (32–50 years) who did not have the habit of getting regularly massages or exercising and participated voluntarily in the study. The subjects were randomly separated into three groups: control group (CG, n=9), exercise group (EG, n=8), and massage and exercise group (MEG, n=8). The basic result of this study was that a statistically significant decrease was observed in the post-test MDA values of both EG and MEG subjects. Moreover, when the GSH and SOD values are compared to CG, a statistically significant increase was determined in the values of both EG and MEG. As a result, the findings show that regular physical activities and massage manipulations significantly decrease MDA, increase SOD and GSH activities, and result in no change in NOx and ADA activities supports the assumption that regular physical activity has positive health effects.