Massage has been an important part of European athletes' for many years. Just recently, North American athletes have learned to appreciate the value of massage. A study conducted by Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, found promising evidence to support the benefits of massage. In this study, a group of cyclists pedaled until complete fatigue and then took a ten-minute rest. During the ten-minute rest period. Half of the cyclists received a massage while the other half didn't.
After the rest period, the cyclists were asked to perform 50 knee extensions on a leg machine. The results showed that the cyclists who received massages were 11% stronger than the athletes who did not receive massage. With compelling evidence such as this, it is undoubtable that massage has benefits for athletes. Massage can also help maintain the health of muscles.
Maintenance Of Muscle
Muscle can help improve muscle recovery, which leads to efficient training. Massage can improve the circulation of bodily fluids. With increased circulation, tissues are better able to receive nutrients and other substances that are vital for optimal body functioning. Massage also helps decrease the swelling of muscles and relaxes and stretches sore muscles.
Massage does not directly affect normal muscle strength but it is more effective than rest at optimizing your recovery abilities. Massage keeps your muscles healthy and flexible. I would recommend that all athletes should have massages from time to time. If you have access to a massage on a regular basis it would be beneficial to add it to your program. Once you have a massage, you will be amazed how good you will feel during and after the massage.
Massage Before Competition
Pre-competition massage can be a tool for increasing or decreasing the stimulation level of nerve cells, ligaments, and joints, which helps in keeping them loose and flexible. This can help to prevent excessive micro-trauma (injury to cell membranes). Massage before a competition focuses on stretching and warming up the tendons and ligaments of the legs and arms. These connective tissues do not have their own blood supply; therefore it takes longer to warm them up. Massage improves the bodies' circulation; hence improved blood flow to the tendons and ligaments.
It is important that an athlete's tendons and ligaments be properly warmed up before engaging in a competition. When properly warmed up, performance ability is increased and the chance of injury is decreased. Pre-competition massage also helps nervous athletes to relax and calm down before competition. It is recommended that the massage should be performed before the specific warm-up. After the massage, pre-competition stretching and warming up should be performed.
Massage After A Competition
A massage after an athletic event is very relaxing. Most athletes that have massages after their events say this is the best method of relaxation. The massage helps the mind and body to relax. Massages performed after a workout or competition help to relieve the effects of muscular fatigue. Massage helps the body by relieving soreness and stiffness and it allows the muscles to maintain flexibility and looseness. The joints, tendons and ligaments are also helped in the same manner. Research says that post-workout or post-competition massage can speed up recovery time by as much as two times faster than rest alone. When given a massage, the body is able to transport nutrients and oxygen better to the muscles because of the enhancing blood flow.
The by-products of metabolism are also carried away from the muscles more efficiently; therefore increasing recovery time. Intense exercise results in micro-trauma. Massage can help decrease the soreness associated with micro-trauma. The post workout massage should last at least 30 minutes. This allows adequate time for the body to be relieved physically and mentally. The massage should be given a minimum of 90 minutes after your last meal. This allows the meal too be partially digested before the massage begins. During digestion, most of the body's blood flow is directed toward the stomach. By allowing partial digestion to have taken place, the massage is better able to direct the blood flow to the muscles.
Massage Helps Injuries
Massage has been shown to accelerate the recovery of injured muscles. Massage also allows for a greater range of motion of the injured muscle. Andy Pruitt, Certified Athletic Trainer and Director of Sports Medicine of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, advises that massage therapy for muscle damage should not be performed immediately after the injury. This would only worsen the condition. He recommends that massage therapy should not be given any sooner than 48 hours after the injury occurs.
Also, be sure the swelling and pain have ceased before undergoing massage therapy. Massage therapy induces blood and lymph movement, which increases nutrition to the muscles and joints and also reduces swelling and eliminates inflammatory waste products. Deep breathing, massage or muscular movement induces lymph movement. Massage helps to trigger lymphatic vessels when exercise is obsolete.
Reference:http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hale5.htm
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