Exercise and Massage for Sports
There have been many studies on the effect of massage therapy on athletes. A majority of these studies have yielded conflicting results. 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 controls showed a significant improvement in muscle pain for athletes who received massage. However there was no significant improvements in the health of those who didn't receive massage. Another study comparing active athletes with nonathletes showed similar results to those of the previous studies.
Although there are no conclusive studies that prove that sports massage can improve athletic performance, several studies have shown that it can aid athletes in recovering faster. In one study, researchers found that sports massage decreased the recovery time for athletes who participated in a vigorous exercise program. In another study, participants who performed a maximum workload protocol had significantly higher performance than those who received a Sports massage. In yet another study, therapists who performed sports massage demonstrated a significant improvement in physical performance of overweight adolescent women.
A study that examined lactic acid production in injured and control groups found no difference between groups. However, the researchers concluded that the effect of massage might depend on the person who the massage is given to. Researchers discovered that lactic acids were produced at a higher level in the control group than during exercise, and were relatively low after the session. On the other hand the production of lactic acids was found to be higher in the injured group during exercise and remained at higher levels after the session. A possible reason for this finding is that the increased production of lactic acid could decrease the threshold for pain of an injured patient and cause a greater perception of exertion during exercise.
There are many theories about how massage therapy might improve athletic performance. A faster recovery for athletes after injuries is possible according experts in physiology. This theory also suggests that athletes may benefit from strengthening their arms and shoulders by stretching the superficial muscles. Another theory is that athletes who engage in intense activities during competition may be able recover faster when their lower muscles are more tense and shorter. A strong abdominal core helps prevent cramps and spasms that can occur in athletes during strenuous activity.
Massage therapy can aid athletes increase their flexibility and muscle strength. Stretching muscles can make them more flexible and open to training and movement. As athletes exercise their muscles tighten and restrict their grandanma.com/suwon/ movement. To ease this muscle pain the athletes must engage in exercises to stretch out muscles that are tight. This is where massages for sports can be of great help.
Studies have demonstrated that athletes experience an increase of cortisol when exercising or engaging in intense. The stress hormone signals physical stress. And studies show that this increased release of cortisol can lead to a greater strength of muscles and endurance during times of exercise that are low intensity. In the study, endurance performance was measured prior to and after athletes completed 30 sprints. During sprints, muscle twitch activity was timed and the results showed an increase in strength following the sprints.
The increase in muscle strength was due to the higher amount of glycogen in the muscles. Glycogen is an energy source that muscles use during intense training. When the athlete is subject to intense physical effort large amounts of glycogen are released by the body. This allows the athlete to replenish energy lost during sprints. A study by researchers at the University of Northumbria in the UK found that a series of sprints before a bout of competitive cycling resulted in a significant increase in the amount of muscle glycogen.
The results of these studies show that massage therapy for sports can be beneficial to athletes during and after vigorous exercise. However, it is important to keep in mind that these studies have been performed on healthy non-athletes. If you suffer from any condition that impact circulation, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, it's best to consult your physician before starting any form of treatment.