SPORTS MASSAGE AND PERFORMANCE

Evaluation of Issues Related to Sports Massage Methods



Evaluation of Issues Related to Sports Massage Methods

Introduction

Sports massage is an important element in managing the injury and improving the performance. Many sportsmen consider it as a treatment mechanism after an injury; however, it enhances the performance of a person, balance the motion of body, increase focusing ability, and physical condition of the body.

Sports massage provides numerous advantages in terms of maintain the physique and health condition of a person. It has been integrated as a compulsory activity in many sports before and after the event to increase the performance and maintain the physical condition of an athlete (Winchester, 2008).

Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology in Massage

Sports massage practitioner role is very crucial in this concern as they possess sound knowledge about the human body component involvement in sports. Muscle involvement differs in every sport. It is necessary to target the muscle group involved in a particular sport. To improve the joint flexibility and optimize the effectiveness of massage, anatomy of human body helps analyze the critical pressure point and body parts of a person that directly impact the performance level (Newton 1997, 66).

Therapy session provide numerous physical benefits. It is widely known that these treatments provide the athlete with greater muscle and joint flexibility. Many report that they are in better physical condition, have higher levels of performance and longer sports life span.

Physiology in massage helps in treatment of injury by identifying the functional aspect of muscles involvement. Flexibility is very important in sports to increase performance and reduce the chances of possible injury (Hemmings 2000, 109). It helps elevate the performance of person by increasing the stamina of a person through specific massage therapies essential to enhance the muscular coordination with quick neurological functioning. Physiology in sports massage also includes the impact of nutrition on person's health.

Pathology in sports massage refers to identifying the muscular and biological problems that directly impact the performance level. Diagnosis of internal problems such as sore muscular stiffness, physiological stress, internal injury, disc-slips, contraction, and reduced movement of tendons and bones, and its treatment can be improvised by pathological techniques in massage (Newton 1997, 172).



Prevention and Management of Injury

Athletes constantly focus on maximizing their assertion levels. Muscle coordination is very important during an activity as performance is directly dependant on how well muscular system performs (Winchester 2008). Knowledge of muscle movement system is vital in resolving the muscular related issues. Sports massage helps in reducing the stress of body and enhances the recovery of muscular injuries.

Muscular contraction and expansion strength depends on muscular ability to expand and contract. Degree of muscular movement enhances the ability of muscles to function during sports activity which reduces the chances of muscular injury; it also helps in minimizing the chances of disc slip and muscular swallowing (Farr 2002, 297). Sports massage softens the muscle pressure by reducing the increasing flexibility and degree of muscle ...