Role Of Sports Massages

Sports massage is a niche massage method that, for the uninformed, may sound like a superficial muscle rub for hard-working muscles. What it is, in fact, is a therapeutic treatment by qualified sports massage therapists that brings enormous benefits to anyone who plays a sport. The benefits are even more noteworthy if injuries need treatment, and that injury can be from excessive DIY work, for example, not only sports.

With huge amounts of academic research on its benefits, we thought we would share some of the research on the role of sports massages in speedy recoveries.

Academic Research On Sports Massages

Decades of research have slowly built up a profound litany of reasons for incorporating sports massage into professional athletes' training and recuperation strategies. And if it is important for them, then it is surely something for the rest of us to consider. One study revealed the following.

Field Observations

Sports coaches, players and athletes and team-linked medical staff all attest to personally observing many improvements to the player or athlete's physical health following a sports massage treatment regime. They recorded improved blood flow, the release of muscle tension, a calmer mental state and a greater sense of contentment.

Researchers Observations

Sports massage produces mechanical pressure, which delivers the following benefits:

• It improves a muscle's ability to function normally with the additional positive outcome of an increased range of motion for the related joint.
• It reduces static and active stiffness (biomechanical mechanisms).
• It enhances blood flow by elevating arteriolar pressure and raising muscle tissue temperature from appropriate friction.

The research also clarified that subject to the massage methodology used, mechanical compression on muscle should elevate or reduce neural calmness. This was measured using the Hoffman reflex.

The massage treatment brings about different levels of heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels, which deliver:

• Physical relaxation
• Lowered anxiety
• Positive effect on moods

These benefits seem superficial; however, tangible performance benefits have been recorded in the athletes' and players’ performance and injury reduction.

Pre-Exercise Massage

One area that requires additional research is the benefits of pre-exercise massage treatments on the enhancement of performance results and reduction in injury.

Field observations support massage treatment between tournaments and events for reduced injuries and speedy recoveries post-event, resulting in being physically stronger for the next event.

Conclusion

Sports massage therapists can assist you with improved physical and mental health, which increases performance results and quality of life.

Book an appointment with top sports massage therapists today at Kings Park Sports Medicine Centre.

Sports Massage Therapists