Can Athletes Get an Edge with Sports Massage?

Does therapeutic sports massage improve performance or recovery?

Most athletes are on the lookout for ways to train more effectively, improve performance, prevent injury, and recovery quickly. With heavy training schedules and little time for rest, athletes have recently been among the biggest users of massage therapy services. The growing number of massage therapists that offer sports and other therapeutic massage therapies have allowed more and more recreational athletes to receive and enjoy sports massage.

What is Therapeutic Sports Massage?
Therapeutic sports massage is a type of massage technique that focuses on treating soft tissue aches, pain and injuries that are associated with recreational activities. Massage can reduce muscle stiffness and improve relaxation by reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

While many athletes are convinced of the physical benefit of massage, research on its effectiveness is currently limited. Massage involves applying mechanical pressure to the soft tissues, and this is believed to result in improved muscle flexibility, increased range of motion in the joints, and decreased muscle stiffness.

The pressure of massage may also improve blood flow during the massage and increase muscle temperature. Massage reduces heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels. Most people report a feeling of pure relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved mood as a result. Athletes may indeed find an edge in these psychological benefits.

When it comes to using massage to improve performance and prevent injury, the research isn't as positive. In fact, very little scientific evidence supports these claims. What research that is available finds that post-exercise massage reduces the intensity of muscle soreness but has no effect on the muscle functional loss (weakness, fatigue, decreases in strength, etc.) that often occurs after intense training or competition.

However, for most athletes, enjoying less muscle pain and stiffness and improving sense of relaxation and well-being is reason enough to enjoy regular massage. And as research continues to study the mind/body connection, we may discover that the psychological benefits of massage do, indeed, improve our physical functioning.

How to Find a Qualified Massage Therapist
To get the most benefit and enjoyment from massage, it's important to find a qualified and credentialed massage therapist. Ask any potential therapists about their credentials, specialized training, and the type of massage techniques they most often use.

To find a therapist in your area you can search
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)'s Find A Nationally Certified Practitionerdatabase

or

The American Massage Therapy Association's (AMTA) "Find a Massage Therapist" database.

The AMTA recommends asking the following questions:

• Did you graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)?
• Are you licensed or registered as a massage therapist in this state?
• Are you certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork?
• Do you have training in any specific massage modalities?

_{Source: Weerapong, Pornratshanee 1; Hume, Patria A 1; Kolt, Gregory S 2, The Mechanisms of Massage and Effects on Performance, Muscle Recovery and Injury Prevention. Sports Medicine. 35(3):235-256, 2005.}