Exercise and massage for sports
There have been many studies on the effect of massage therapy for athletes. Most of these studies have resulted in contradictory findings. One study that compared professional athletes with control athletes found no significant difference in the soreness of muscles between groups. Another study that examined professional athletes against controls found a significant improvement in muscle pain for athletes who had massage. 출장마사지 However there was no noticeable improvements in the health of those who didn't receive massage. Similar results were seen in a different study that assessed active athletes against non-athletes.
Although there are no conclusive studies showing that the benefits of sports massage on athletic performance however, numerous studies have demonstrated that it can aid athletes in recovering faster. Researchers discovered that athletes who had been engaged in intense exercise programs had a lower chance of recovering from massage. In another study, athletes that completed a maximum workload protocol had significantly higher performance than those who received an Sports massage. Another study revealed that therapists for sports massage had a significant impact on the physical performance of overweight adolescents.
A study that examined the production of lactic acid in both groups found no difference. But the researchers did conclude that the effects of massage may depend on the person the massage is given to. Researchers found that lactic acid production was the highest in the group that exercised, and continued to be low following the session. However, the injured group showed greater amount of lactic acid and it continued to increase after the session. This could be due to the increased lactic acid production in injured patients could decrease the patient's threshold for pain and lead to a greater perception of exercise exertion.
There are a variety of theories on how sport massage can enhance the performance of athletes. Some scientists have suggested that a thorough stretch of the deep muscles of the legs is responsible for athletes' quicker recovery from injury. This theory also suggests that athletes can gain strength in their shoulders and arms by stretching their superficial muscles. Another theory suggests that the tighter, shorter muscles of the lower part of the body can speed up the time to recover for athletes who perform vigorous sports during competition. And a strong abdominal muscle core can prevent spasms and cramps that athletes experience when they are engaged in strenuous activities.
Alongside stretching and strengthening of muscles massage can also improve the flexibility of athletes. It's been proven that muscles get limber and more open to movement and training when they are stretched. As athletes exercise their muscles tighten and limit their movement. To alleviate discomfort in the muscles, athletes should do exercises to stretch muscles that are tight. This is where sports massage plays a crucial role.
Research has demonstrated that during times of intense exercise, athletes experience a significant increase in the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that signals physical stress. And studies show that this increased cortisol release leads to greater muscle strength and endurance during times of moderate exercise. The endurance of the athletes was measured before and after they had completed their 30 sprints. The sprints were recorded to measure muscle twitch activity. Results showed an increase in muscle strength after sprints.
The increase in muscle strength was due to the increased amount of glycogen found in the muscles. Glycogen is a source of energy that muscles use during intense exercising. And when the athlete's body experiences a period of intense physical activity and it releases large quantities of glycogen in order to replenish energy lost during the sprints. A study carried out by researchers at the University of Northumbria in the UK demonstrated that performing a series of short sprints before a bout of competitive cycling led to an increase in the amount of muscle glycogen.
The results of these studies suggest that massages for sports may be beneficial for athletes both during and after vigorous exercise. However, it is important to keep in mind that these studies have been conducted on healthy people who are not athletes. Before you start any treatment, talk to your doctor if there are conditions that influence circulation, such as kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure or other conditions.