Sport Massage and Exercise
There have been numerous studies on the effect of massage therapy for athletes. Many of these studies have resulted in contradictory findings. One study comparing professional athletes with their counterparts found no significant differences in muscle soreness between groups. Another study that compared professionals with their counterparts showed an improvement in muscle soreness in athletes who received massage therapy, however there was no significant improvement for athletes who did not receive massage. Another study that compared active athletes and nonathletes yielded similar results to previous studies.
There aren't any definitive studies that prove that sports massage actually enhances athletic performance, however a variety of studies suggest that it may aid in reducing the time to recover for athletes. In one study, scientists found that sports massage reduced the recovery time of athletes who took part in a rigorous exercise program. In another study, athletes who followed a maximum workload program showed significantly better performance over those who were not given an Sports massage. In a separate study, the therapists who used sports massage demonstrated a significant improvement in the physical performance of overweight adolescent girls.
A study that examined the production of lactic acid in both groups found no differences. However the researchers did conclude that the impact of massage might depend on the person who 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 remained relatively low after the session. On the other hand, the production of lactic acids was found to be greater in the the injured group during exercise and remained at higher levels after the session. One possible explanation for this finding is that the elevated lactic acid production could decrease the pain threshold of an injured patient and result in greater perceived effort during exercise.
There are many theories about how massage therapy can enhance athletic performance. Physiologists have speculated that a good stretching of the deep muscles of the legs is responsible for athletes' quicker recovery from injury. This theory also suggests that athletes could benefit from strengthening their arms and shoulders by stretching their superficial muscles. Another theory is that athletes who engage in intense sports during competition could be able to recover quicker if their lower muscles are smaller and tighter. A strong core of abdominal muscles can prevent cramps and spasms among athletes who engage in strenuous activity.
Alongside stretching and strengthening of muscles, sports massage may also increase the flexibility of athletes. It has been known that muscles grow limber and more receptive to training and movement when they're stretched. When athletes train, their muscles become tighter and restrict their movement. To alleviate the pain in their muscles, athletes must perform exercises that stretch muscles that are tight. Massage therapy for sports can help with this.
Studies have shown that during periods of high intensity or exercise, athletes experience a significant increase in the production of cortisol, a hormone that signals physical stress. Studies have shown that this increase in cortisol levels leads to increased muscular strength and endurance during periods of moderate exercise. In the study endurance performance was assessed prior to and after athletes completed 30 sprints. The sprints were timed to determine the amount of muscle twitch activity. The results showed an increase in muscle strength after the sprints.
Glycogen in muscles increased muscle strength. Glycogen is a major source of energy found in muscles following intense workouts. When the body of an athlete experiences a period of high intensity physical exertion the body releases huge amounts of glycogen to replenish lost energy during sprints. Researchers from the University of Northumbria published a study that revealed that short sprints prior competitive cycling resulted in a significant increase of muscle glycogen.
These studies have proven that massages during sports can be beneficial for athletes both in the course of and after intense workouts. But, it is important to remember that all of these studies were performed on healthy non-athletes. Before beginning any treatment, talk to your doctor if you have conditions that interfere with circulation, like kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure or Have a peek at this website other conditions.