Although there is controversy about exactly what the effects and benefits of sport and exercise massage include, everyone agrees that there are benefits to basic massage. Some experts say that massage has even more to offer after the body has experienced the effects of participating in strenuous activity. British massage expert and author of "Evidence-Based Therapeutic Massage" Elizabeth Holey points out that there has been a persistent social trend demanding the availability of massage, which indicates that recipients value the effects of massage.
Identification
There are multiple benefits of massage that are generally recognized, including overall relaxation, relaxation of specific muscles, sedation of irritated nerve endings and improved circulation. In addition, there is a significant psychological impact from massage that tends to make recipients less anxious or stressed. However, massage provided prior to sporting events focuses on invigorating the athlete rather than relaxing him.
Significance
The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals trade organization identifies several benefits of massage that are of direct concern to sport and exercise participants. Among them are the concepts that massage helps to exercise and stretch weak or tight muscles and helps athletes of any level prepare for and recover from strenuous workouts. The result of these benefits is that athletes can utilize massage to improve muscle problems and to enable themselves to work out at a higher intensity with greater frequency.
Function
Massage impacts the body in two main ways that are related to sports and exercise. It stimulates circulation, which brings oxygen and nutrient rich blood into the area being massaged. This increased circulation also involves the flow of lymph fluid, which functions to flush cellular waste products from the tissues and return them to the filtering organs of the body, such as the kidneys, liver and lymph glands. One of these waste products of most concern to athletes is lactic acid, which can cause significant nerve irritation and pain if it remains within the muscles for long periods of time.
Anecdotal Evidence or Scientific Study
The controversy regarding the effects and benefits of sport and exercise massage has arisen over the fact that there are few scientific studies that document exactly what benefits occur and via what mechanism. Although anecdotal evidence relies on the experience of only one patient, many athletes choose to seek massage therapy based solely on their own personal experiences or the recommendations of colleagues. Potential massage benefits are judged against a criterion of whether athletic performance improves or decreases.
Potential
In many sports, winning comes down to fractions of seconds or centimeters. Athletes are anxious to do everything that they can to give them an edge in their performance. Patricia Benjamin, sports massage expert and author of "Understanding Sports Massage," states that sports massage has become a valued part of the training routines of Olympic and professional athletes, as well as in school and university sports programs. In this elite community with intense focus on performance, it is unlikely that such top institutions would continue to utilize a practice that has shown no benefit to the athletes.
References
- "Understanding Sports Massage"; P. J. Benjamin; 2005
- "Evidence-Based Therapeutic Massage"; E. A. Holey; 2003
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