Exercise and Sports Massage
There have been many studies on the effects of massage therapy on athletes. The majority of these studies have produced contradictory results. One study comparing professional athletes with control athletes found no significant difference in muscle soreness between the two groups. Another study which compared professional athletes and control subjects found significant improvement in muscle pain for athletes who had massage. However there was no signifi cant improvement in the condition of athletes who did not receive massage. Another study that compared active athletes and non-athletes produced similar results to those of the previous studies.
Although there aren't any conclusive studies that prove that sports massage can improve athletic performance However, numerous studies have found that it can help athletes recover quicker. In one study, scientists found that sports massage decreased the recovery time of athletes who participated in a high-intensity workout. Another study revealed that athletes who were subject to the maximum workload program were significantly more efficient Helpful resources than those who received a Sports massage. Another study showed that sports massage therapists had a significant impact on the physical performance of overweight adolescents.
A study comparing lactic acids production in control and injured groups found no differences between the groups. But the researchers concluded that the impact of massage could be contingent on the person the massage is given to. Researchers discovered that lactic acids were released at a greater amount in the control group than in the exercise group, and were fairly low after the massage. However, the production of lactic acids was found to be greater in the injured group during exercise and increased following the exercise. This could be due to increase in lactic acid production among injured patients may reduce the patient's threshold for pain and lead to a greater perception of exercise exertion.
There are a myriad of theories on how massage can enhance athletic performance. A faster recovery for athletes after injuries is possible according physiologists. The same theory suggests that athletes will benefit from stretching out the muscles that are superficial to the shoulders and arms to strengthen them. A different theory is that muscles that are shorter and tighter in the lower body may help to shorten the recovery time for athletes who perform explosive sports during competition. And a strong core of abdominal muscles helps to prevent spasms and cramps that happen to athletes when they perform strenuous exercise.
Massage therapy for athletes can help improve their flexibility and strength. It's been observed that muscles become limber and more open to movement and training when they're stretched. When athletes exercise, their muscles become tighter and limit their movement. To ease discomfort in the muscles, athletes should exercise to stretch muscles that are tight. Massage can help with this.
Studies have revealed that during times of high intensity or exercise the athletes experience a significant increase in the production of cortisol, a hormone that is a sign of physical stress. Research has shown that cortisol can increase the endurance and strength of muscles during low intensity exercise. The endurance of the athletes was evaluated before and after they had completed their 30 sprints. The sprints were recorded to measure muscle twitch activity. Results showed an increase in muscle strength after sprints.
The increase in muscle strength was due to the increased amount of glycogen found in the muscles. Glycogen is the source of energy that is found in muscles after intense exercise. And when the athlete's body goes through a period of intense physical exertion the body releases huge amounts of glycogen to replenish energy lost during the sprints. Researchers from the University of Northumbria published a study that found that short sprints prior to cycling competition resulted in a significant increase in glycogen in the muscles.
The findings of these studies indicate that sports massage may indeed be beneficial for athletes both during and after vigorous exercise. All of these studies were done on healthy, non-athletes. Before beginning any treatment, talk to your doctor if there are conditions that influence circulation, such as kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure or any other ailments.