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SPORT MASSAGE
EFFECTS OF MASSAGE ON HUMAN BODY Reflex effect: Effects are always results of touch on tissue. They can either inhibiting (calming) or stimulating effects on pain receptors in skin or deeper in the tissue. Those receptors influence central nervous system which in effect can have reflex influence on other organs of the body. Biochemical effect: Some massage strokes will release histamine into blood stream. This causes dilation of capillaries. Result is increased blood flow to the massaged area. This is seen as redness of the area and increase in the temperature is also evident. Overall effect is increased metabolic exchange rate. Mechanical effect: Massage therapy improves lymphatic return. Vigorous exercise causes muscular strain and diminutive bleeding into the tissue. Massage enhances return of blood into venous system. It accelerate recovery of post-exercise soreness and inhibits pain. Training recovery is much faster after massage than after just passive rest. MASSAGE AND TRAINING
PREPARATION MASSAGE It is used as a physical recovery support in ongoing training preparation. Massage therapist should be familiar with goals of training period. This will help him to effectively design aims of each massage treatments. Treatments usually cover the entire body or specific areas depending on the training protocol. Aim is to establish optimal muscle tone and appropriate biomechanical ranges of motion as related to the specific sport. MASSAGE TO ELIMINATE TRAINING FATIGUE Aim of this massage is to eliminate training fatigue and post exercise soreness. Massage is usually light with focus on accelerated blood and lymphatic return, reducing excessive nerve firing and establishing a state of relaxation. Athletic performance and training results not only in a physical strain but also in a mental fatigue. The mental fatigue is present for period of time following training. It is a direct result of a physical, athletic strain and usually manifests itself in a negative, depressive way. It may result in nervousness of the athlete, inability to focus and to eliminate negative impulses. Negative mental state affects the ability to physically relax. Muscular and tendinous pain further inhibits psychological ability to relax as well. The process of energy recovery may also be affected by other negative aspects such as sleep deprivation. PRE-COMPETITION MASSAGE Pre-competition massage has a great influence on physical and psychological status of the athlete prior to the competition. It is helpful when massage therapist is familiar with pre-competitive state of the athlete, his routine in warm up and preparation. Because the prep massage will influence the mental state for the competition, it is important that there is a mutual trust between therapist’s work and the athlete. Massage can be stimulating, beneficial for the athlete that has difficulty in warm up to bringing his body to a full competitive assertiveness. It is shorter, fast paced and aim is to increase muscle tone. The heart rate is also increased, improved circulation benefits with systemic distribution of stimulating hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine and norepinephrine). The effect of this massage is two fold. It has mechanical effect on the tonus of the muscles and stimulating effect on the central nervous system. This results in elevated alertness and focus on the performance. Pre-competitive massage can also have a calming effect, reducing stress and nervousness. It is shorter with slower, calming strokes, with aim to reduce the excessive muscle tension and to lower stimulating nerve impulses (sympathetic nerve firing). The maintaining prep massage sustains ideal muscular and nervous tonus. It is not stimulating nor inhibiting. BETWEEN PERFORMANCES MASSAGE This type of massage is used in situations when one athletic performance is followed by the other in relatively short time (such as tournaments, multiple events, heats, qualifications etc.). Aim of therapist is to partially eliminate fatigue and to prepare athlete physically for further performance. This massage is beneficial in transforming a negative energy of soreness and fatigue to the positive energy of focus and concentration. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MASSAGE AND SPORT PERFORMANCE Athletic performance is a combination of a physical effort of human body and psychological state of human mind. Massage has an influence on human psychology which is regulated by nervous system of the body. Different massage techniques applications can result in stimulation and positive psychological response. It can also have calming, inhibiting effect. Massage has either localized or overall, systemic effect on human body. Overall effects include influence on blood circulation and venous return, lymphatic return and effects on nervous system. Massage influences both peripheral and central nervous system. Receptors in skin or a deeper tissue react on mechanical impulses which is the base of every massage work. Reflex impulses are located also in muscles, tendons and joints. Influence of massage on physiological aspects will have direct influence on human psychology via central nervous system of the body:
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