Sports massage enhances performance by optimizing muscle function, reducing injury risk, improving flexibility and overall physical conditioning. It also helps to maintain peak fitness levels by reducing muscular imbalances and improving circulation.
As a specialized form of massage, sports massage is tailored to suit individual athlete needs and can be used as part of both pre-event preparation and post-event recovery strategies.
Increased Flexibility
The techniques of sports massage such as stretching and mobilization increase elasticity of the muscles by breaking down adhesions. These changes help to keep the joints functioning optimally and avoiding overuse injuries.
One physiological effect of massage is the increased venous return, which improves blood flow in the body. This results in the removal of waste products and oxygen delivery to the area, which can be a challenge when an injury occurs. This improvement can also reduce edema and venostasis, which can be risk factors for developing a blood clot in the veins.
Many athletes use massage therapy as a way to help with the recovery process after an injury and improve performance. However, despite this popular belief, studies have shown that there is no evidence of massage improving strength, sprint or endurance performance. The benefits of massage may lie in the reduction of stress and inflammation, increasing flexibility, and promoting a healthy mental state.
Reduced Pain
Besides the physical manipulation of muscle tissues to break down adhesions and boost circulation, sports massage also encourages an increase in lymph flow which helps eliminate metabolic waste (such as lactic acid) that increases pain and delays healing. This process provides the muscles with extra oxygen and nutrients which speeds up recovery and increases energy levels.
The psychological impact of massage stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. This helps athletes feel less pain, which may improve performance.
Whether you’re an elite athlete or just someone who likes to exercise, the benefits of sports massage should be seen as part of a preventative maintenance plan, along with proper stretching and a healthy diet. This will help keep the body strong and resilient against injury, which will allow you to train at a higher level consistently, leading to greater improvements in performance over time.
Increased Endurance
Athletes who incorporate regular sports massage can increase their endurance. The manipulation of soft tissues in a massage increases flexibility, improves range of motion and reduces tightness in the muscles and joints. Techniques like proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) help to improve muscle balance and coordination, reducing the risk of injury.
Massage techniques like effleurage promote the flow of blood, flushing away waste products and delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles. These techniques also break down adhesions and scar tissue, allowing muscles to move more freely during exercise.
In addition, massage triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. This can improve focus and mood and reduce stress levels, further improving performance.
Improved Sleep
When combined with healthy sleep practices, such as a consistent sleep schedule, relaxing bedtime routine, and a comfortable sleep environment, sports massage can significantly improve the quality of your rest. This improved sleep can support your physical and mental recovery, making you better prepared to tackle new challenges and reach your performance goals.
The techniques discounts on pre-game sports massages used in a sports massage are more akin to a deep tissue massage than a traditional relaxation massage. However, the physical benefits can be just as great for athletes.
The manipulation of tissues with effleurage and petrissage produces heat in the soft tissue, which opens and dilates blood vessels. This results in the increase of warm blood that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. This flushes out lactic acid and enables muscles to contract more efficiently. This reduces muscle soreness and increases the elasticity of muscle fibres, fascia tissue, and ligaments. It also allows muscles to work more effectively, and it helps to prevent injuries.
