Sport Massage and Exercise
Numerous studies have been done on the effects of sports massages on athletes. Many of these studies have given conflicting results. One study that compared professional athletes with their counterparts found no significant difference in muscle soreness between groups. Another study that compared professional athletes with controls showed a significant improvement in muscle soreness for those who were massaged, but there was no improvement for athletes who were not receiving massage. Similar results were also observed in another study , which evaluated active athletes against non-athletes.
While there aren't any conclusive studies that prove that sports massage can improve athletic performance However, numerous studies have found that it can help athletes recover faster. Researchers discovered that athletes who were involved in high-intensity exercise programs had a lower chance of recovering from sports massage. In another study, participants who performed an exercise with a maximum workload showed significantly better performance over those who were not given a Sports massage. Another study found that massage therapists from sports had a significant impact on the physical performance of overweight adolescents.
A study that examined the production of lactic acids in injured and control groups found no differences. However the researchers concluded that the effect of massage could be contingent on the person who the massage is given to. Researchers discovered that the production of lactic acid was highest in the control group during exercise, and continued to be low after the session. However the injured group showed higher lactic acid level and it remained higher following the session. This could be because the increased lactic acid production in injured patients could decrease the threshold for pain and result in greater perceived exertion.
There are a number of theories on how sport massage can improve the performance of athletes. Physiologists have speculated that a good stretching of the muscles deep in the legs is the reason for athletes' quicker recovery from injury. The same theory suggests that athletes can benefit from stretching out the superficial muscles of the arms and shoulders to strengthen them. Another theory suggests that athletes who engage in intense sports during competition could be able to recover quicker in case their lower muscles are smaller and tighter. A strong core of abdominal muscles can reduce cramps and spasms in athletes who engage in strenuous activities.
Massage therapy for athletes can help increase their flexibility and muscle strength. Stretching muscles can help them become more flexible and more willing to move and train. When athletes train, their muscles become tighter and restrict their movement. To relieve the pain in their muscles athletes need to perform exercises to loosen up tight muscle groups. Sports massage can help with this.
Studies have shown that during periods of intense exercise the athletes experience a significant increase in the release of cortisol. It is a stress hormone that signals physical stress. And studies show that this increase in cortisol levels leads to a greater strength of muscles and endurance during periods of moderate intensity exercise. In the study, endurance performance was measured prior to and following athletes' 30 sprints. During the sprints, muscle twitch activity was measured, and the results indicated 대전출장안마 an increase in strength after the sprints.
The muscle's glucosamine levels increased strength. Glycogen is a major source of energy that is found in muscles after intense exercise. When an athlete is exposed to intense physical exertion large amounts of glycogen are released by the body. This allows the athlete to replenish the energy loss during sprints. A study by researchers at the University of Northumbria in the UK demonstrated that performing a series of short sprints prior to an event of competitive cycling produced an increase in the amount of muscle glycogen.
The results of these studies suggest that massage therapy can be beneficial to athletes both when they are exercising and after it. But, it is important to remember that these studies were performed on healthy non-athletes. Before you start any treatment, talk to your doctor if there are conditions that alter circulation, such as kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure or any other condition.