Made Agus Dharmadi, Fajar Apollo Sinaga, I Wayan Muliarta, Ni Putu Dwi Sucita Dartini, Luh Putu Tuti Ariani
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of massage therapy using Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on improving the fitness of Bali athletes. The research method employed was a quasi-experiment involving a sample of 32 male Bali athletes (aged between 16 and 18 years), divided into 16 participants in the experimental group and 16 participants in the control group. The experimental group received massage therapy using VCO, while the control group used body lotion for massage. Data were collected through fitness tests using the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MFT) and involved pre-test and post-test measurements. Based on the results of the study, the massage therapy using VCO had a statistically significant effect on the physical fitness of Bali athletes (p=0.001). In contrast, massage therapy using body lotion did not show a statistically significant effect on physical fitness (p=0.064). Furthermore, a significant difference was found between the two treatments (p=0.036), indicating that VCO was more effective than body lotion in improving athletes physical fitness. The results of this research are expected to contribute to improving athlete performance through massage interventions using VCO and to provide a broader understanding for coaches in enhancing athlete performance based on the principles of training and recovery. © Copyright 2026: Publication Service of the University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Faculty of Sports and Health, Ganesha University of Education, Bali, Indonesia; Faculty of Sports Science, State University of Medan, Indonesia
