Sport Massage and Exercise
There have been a variety of studies on the effect of massage therapy on athletes. Many of these studies have resulted in contradictory findings. One study that compared professional athletes with controls found no significant differences in muscle soreness among the groups. Another study that examined professional athletes against control subjects found significant improvement in the pain of muscles for athletes who had massage. However, there was no significant improvements in the health of those who didn't receive massage. Similar results were seen in another study that evaluated active athletes against non-athletes.
Although there are no conclusive studies showing that sports massage can improve athletic performance however, numerous studies have demonstrated that it can help athletes recover faster. Researchers discovered that athletes who were engaged in high-intensity training had a lower chance of recovering from massage therapy. Another study revealed that athletes who were subjected to the maximum workload program were significantly more efficient than those who were given a Sports massage. In a different study, massage therapists were able to show a marked improvement in physical performance of overweight female adolescents.
A study that examined the production of lactic acids in injured and control groups found no differences. Researchers concluded that massage's effect may depend on the person being given to. Researchers found that lactic acids were released at a greater level in the control group than in the exercise group, and remained quite low after the session. However the injured group had greater amount of lactic acid and it continued to increase after the session. One possible explanation for this is that the increased production of lactic acid could reduce the threshold for pain of an injured patient and cause a greater perception of effort during exercise.
There are a number of theories on how massage can improve athletic performance. Some scientists have suggested that a full stretching of the muscles deep in the legs is the reason for faster recovery from injuries. The same theory proposes that athletes can benefit from stretching the superficial muscles of the shoulders and arms to strengthen the muscles. Another theory suggests that athletes who participate in intense activities during competition could be able to recover quicker in case their lower muscles are longer and tighter. A strong core of abdominal muscles can prevent cramps and spasms in athletes who engage in intense activities.
In addition to stretching and strengthening of muscles massage therapy could also improve athletes' flexibility. It's been established that muscles become limber and more open to training and movement when they're stretched. However, as athletes continue to exercise and stretch their muscles, they become tight and limit their motion. To relieve the pain in their muscles athletes must do exercises to stretch out tight muscle groups. This is where massages for sports can play an important role.
Studies have shown that during times of high intensity or exercise athletes experience a significant increase in the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that signals physical stress. Studies have shown that cortisol improves muscle strength and endurance during low intensity workout. In the study endurance performance was evaluated prior to and after the athletes completed 30 sprints. During sprints, muscle twitch activity was timed and the results indicated an increase in muscle strength after the sprints.
Glycogen in muscles increased muscle strength. Glycogen is an energy source found in muscles during vigorous training. And when the athlete's body is exposed to intense physical exercise and it releases large quantities of glycogen in order to replenish lost energy during the sprints. A study published by researchers from the University of Northumbria in the UK revealed that short sprints before a bout of competitive cycling led to an increase in muscle glycogen.
These studies have shown that massages for sports are beneficial for athletes, both during and after intense workouts. However, one must remember that all of these studies have been conducted on healthy non-athletes. If you suffer from any health condition that affect circulation such as diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, it's recommended to consult your doctor before starting 대전출장안마 any form of treatment.