Background. The purpose of our research was to determine the impact of 30 minutes of classical massage on the dynamics of change in selected indicators of prooxidant / antioxidant equilibrium in persons subjected to exertion increasing to maximum. Material and methods. The research involved 20 students from the Academy of Physical Education, of both genders, average age 23 years. On two different occasions the subjects performed physical exertion on an exercise bicycle. The exertion load began at 50 W and was increased by 50 W every 3 minutes. On the first test, immediately after the exertion the subjects rested passively for 30 minutes in prone position, while after the second test they were immediately given whole-body classical massage (except the head), also for 30 minutes. On each occasion blood samples were collected immediately before exertion, 3 minutes after, and after 30 minutes of recovery. We assayed lactic acid (LA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), and the concentration of products reacting with thiobarbituric acid (TBARS). Results. Our results showed no differentiation in the parameters of oxidative stress or the lactate concentration related to the application of massage. Conclusions. A 30-minute recovery period, whether passive or with massage, is insufficient to restore the basic prooxidant / antioxidant equilibrium. The application of classic massage immediately after physical exertion provides no significant differences in the utilization of lactic acid or antioxidant defense parameters in comparison to passive rest.