Effects of Sport Massage

Recent advances in sports and exercise science have highlighted the potential of sports massage to improve circulation and accelerate recovery from activity and injury (Benjamin & Lamp, 2005). Sports massage from skilled therapist (Moraska, 2007) can significantly improve the condition of the muscles of any participants. The deep massage, pumping and stroking movement improve circulation, remove waste products and improve elasticity on physical and physiological aspect; and the psychological benefits include invigoration and reduction of mental tension (Weerapong, Hume, & Kolt, 2005).

To maximize the benefits, massage treatment are administered on:
1. Pre-event
2. During event
3. Post-event (Directly after event)
4. Post-event (several hours and days after event)
5. Restoration/rehabilitation
6. Training/conditioning

The massage techniques used are stroking manipulation - effeurage (flushing), pressure manipulation - petrissage (kneading, picking, wringing, rolling) and squeezing/pressing, friction, tapotement (plucking, hacking, cupping, tapping, pounding etc.), vibration/shaking, acupressure and trigger pointing (Riggs, 2007; Watt, 1999).

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) describes muscle pain and tenderness that typically develop 12 - 24 hours after such exercise (Clarkson, Nosaka, & Braun, 1992) and subsides generally within 4 to 6 days; and consist of predominantly eccentric muscle actions, especially if the exercise is unfamiliar. Although DOMS is likely a symptom of eccentric-exercise–induced muscle damage, it does not necessarily reflect muscle damage.

Sports massage of minimum 10 minutes was effective in alleviating DOMS by approximately 30% and reducing swelling, but it had no effects on muscle function (Bakowski, Musielak, Sip, & Bieganski, 2008; Zainuddin, Newton, Sacco, & Nosaka, 2005).

Gait and posture observation are normally done on the first appearance of the subject. Posture will always play an important role in performance and sense of well-being. “Postural distortion is the beginning of the disease process”, proclaimed by Han Selye, MD, Nobel Prize laureate. This will give a general direction for the therapist to work on.


References

1. Bakowski, P., Musielak, B., Sip, P., & Bieganski, G. (2008). [Effects of massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness]. Chir Narzadow Ruchu Ortop Pol, 73(4), 261-265.
2. Benjamin, P. J., & Lamp, S. P. (2005). Understanding Sports Massage (2nd ed.): Human Kinetics.
3. Clarkson, P. M., Nosaka, K., & Braun, B. (1992). Muscle function after exercise-induced muscle damage and rapid adaptation. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 24(5), 512-520.
4. Moraska, A. (2007). Therapist education impacts the massage effect on postrace muscle recovery. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 39(1), 34-37.
5. Riggs, A. (2007). Deep tissue massage (Revised ed.). Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books.
6. Watt, J. (1999). Massage for sport (1st ed.). Bristol: The Crowood Press Ltd.
7. Weerapong, P., Hume, P. A., & Kolt, G. S. (2005). The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Med, 35(3), 235-256.
8. Zainuddin, Z., Newton, M., Sacco, P., & Nosaka, K. (2005). Effects of massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness, swelling, and recovery of muscle function. J Athl Train, 40(3), 174-180.