MASSAGE FOR ATHLETES

Samuel Blechman
Copyright

2010


Table of Contents
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Introduction

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Athletic training process

Classification of sport massage
Recommended training, equipment, supplies, emollients, and MT
clothing
Anatomy and Physiology
Most common sport massage techniques
Event massage
Effects & Benefits of Sport Massage

References

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Sport massage
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Sport massage is a combination of special forms of massage
developed to help athletes, physically active people, as well as
those with high levels of stress reach their peak performance  

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The biggest progress in the development of sport massage was
reached in China, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Russia. In a last
few decades tremendous progress the science of sport massage
has been made in US.

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Sport massage is incorporated as a part of medical services at
Olympic Games and Professional competitions

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Most effective techniques used for sport massage are based on
the gradual influence on tissue and reflex reaction

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Forms of sport massage

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Training massage serves to prepare the body for peak performance
Preparation massage done just before performance
Break massage - during performance to hasten regeneration of energy
and tissue and support mental stability

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Forms of sport massage
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Anti-fatigue massage applied after a performance

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Neuromuscular techniques - Trigger point /Tender point, Tension point,
Neuromuscular reeducation

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Fluid technique massage – movement and exchange of fluids facilitation


Relaxation massage - specific applications of the standard effleurage,
petrissage, vibration, and friction techniques. Also can include massage
with guided relaxation

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Forms of sport massage
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Friction massage - friction techniques applied in a general manner to
create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups

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Compression massage - rhythmic compression into muscles used to
create a deep hyperemia and softening effect in the tissues also has a
stimulating effect

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Forms of sport massage
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Pre-event – preparation massage
Inter-competition massage
Post-event massage
Rehabilitative massage
Preventive massage

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Most common sport massage techniques

 Classic relaxation massage
 Deep tissue and myofascial techniques
 Neuromuscular release
 Fluid technique massage

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Classification of sport massage

 
By level of athlete

By technique

By timing

As a therapy


Amateur

Relaxation

Pre-event

Injury prevention

Olympic

Deep tissue

Post-event

Injury treatment

Professional

NMT

Inter-event Preparation

Pain management

Fluid techniques

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Sport MT recommended training

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Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology

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Stretching concepts and principals

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Be able to recognize exhaustion, overheating or overcooling,
dehydration, and the right time to refer the athlete to medical
professionals

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Knowledge of taping technique to support body structures and first aid
training

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Knowledge of sport ointments

Knowledge of variety of massage techniques including basic energy
work
Common sport related injuries
Techniques to eliminate pain, spasms, cramps, prevent spreading

edemas and bruises. Treatment protocols for acute and repetitive strain
injuries

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Emollients

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Produced by manufacturer professional massage creams and lotions are
better compared to liquid oils. The residue of lubricant should be wiped
or washed out at the end of massage session

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The lubricant should be applied first to the hands of the MT

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MT can use medical lubricants, gels, creams, and ointments if they are
prescribed by athlete’s doctor.

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Warning: Never use new, untested emollient at the event

Wrestling, swimming and some other sports prohibit use of lubricant
before competitions


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Clothing
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Massage therapist (MT) should wear comfortable clothes that allow
unrestricted movement and/or according to dress code for the event.

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It is recommended to use sunglasses, cap with visor or eyeshade,
sunprotection lotion for outdoor events

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Recommended equipment
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Massage table. Massage chair. Yoga mat. Fitted plastic cover for the
massage table. Sheets, paper roll, headrest, headrest cover, towels or
paper towels, pillow cases, pillows or/and bolsters. Massage oil or cream
in pump or tube. Timer

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Sanitation solutions, protective gloves, band aid, tape, bandage. Plastic
bags for used sheets and trash


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Blanket or space blanket

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Water and cups

Travel equipment – table cart, table bag, bag for sheets. Plastic pads or
other kind of protection to prevent massage table sinking in the ground.
Sunglasses, cap with visor, sun protective lotion
Maps or GPS

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Athletic training process

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Plan of training process is planning during four/five year cycle. It splits
into yearly, monthly, weekly, daily cycles and single lesson. Each lesson
has specific goals for warm up, main part of lesson, and cool down
process

 Four basic periods of training process during yearly cycle

 Transitional – increasing load in order to reach next level of
performance/skills

 Preparation - stabilization of skills
 Competition – Peak performance
 Vacation - short change of activity and healing injuries

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Muscles and fascia
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Muscles are enclosed by fascia; epimysium, perimysium, endomysium.
The fascias allow the muscles to slide upon each other, when they
contract or stretch. Whenever a muscle is damaged due to blow or
overuse microfibers form in between neighboring layers of connective
tissue. These collagen microfibers bind muscle fibers (muscles cells)
together to prevent movement so that the muscles can heal.
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Fascia is thin, but very fibrous and strong. It serves as a strong layer of
connective tissue between the skin and layers of muscle , muscle
compartments, muscle belies, fascicles, and muscle fibers .


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Microfibers of connective tissue are nature’s internal cast.
Unfortunately, they do not vanish after the tissue has healed. They have
a tendency to get harder over time, making the muscles stiffer and
more rigid.


Proprioceptors
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Proprioceptors provide information about movement and the position of
the body.

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Muscle spindles (stretch receptors) are specialized groups of muscle
fibers interspersed among and oriented parallel to regular skeletal
muscle fibers.

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Tendon organs are proprioceptors found at the junction of a tendon and

a muscle. Each tendon organ consists of a thin capsule of connective
tissue that encloses a few collagen fibers penetrating the capsule.

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Joint Kinesthetic Receptors. Several types of joint kinesthetic receptors
are present within and around the articular capsules of synovial joints.

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Proprioceptors
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Joint Kinesthetic Receptors. Several types of joint kinesthetic receptors
are present within and around the articular capsules of synovial joints.

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Most common sport massage techniques
 Effleurage-Variations of speed will have either stimulating or
sedative effect on athlete
 Stroking -A stroking movement is performed with the entire
palmar surface of one or both hands moving in any direction on
the surface of the body
 Compression moves down into the tissues with varying depths
of pressure - Regional compression, Pumping compression,
Ischemic compression
 Friction-Circular or cross fiber (James Cyriax technique), friction

with thumb or fingers, friction with ulnar side of the hand,
friction with heel of the hand, friction with soft fist, friction in
combination with other kind of strokes, friction
w/reinforcement , friction sub strokes.
 Petrissage (kneading) Compression kneading

 Vibration, Shaking, Rocking, Tapotement
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Neuromuscular Techniques
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Neuromuscular therapy pertains to nerves and muscles, or to the
relationship between them. Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is
methodology for assessing, treating and preventing soft tissue injuries
and chronic pain. NMT emerged in both Europe and North America,
almost simultaneously over the last half-century. NMT is now taught in
osteopathic and sports massage settings in Britain, Russia, China, US
and other countries

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Stretching
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Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching most
commonly utilizes two different processes


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Post isometric fatigue used to induce Post Isometric Relaxation (PRI) –
when muscle put in isometric contraction for 8-10 sec it get fatigue and
followed 6 sec latent period allowed stretching targeted muscle without
discomfort to next level

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Reciprocal inhibition (RI) is inhibition activity of targeted muscle during
isometric, lasting 8 – 10 sec, contraction of antagonist muscle. Inhibition
continues after muscle relaxed for a few sec and it allowed stretching
targeted muscle with no discomfort to next level

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Pre-event massage

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Preparation massage varies depending on type of sport, individuality,
sex, health conditions, temperature or environment and many other
factors

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Usual massage session is 10 – 15 minutes in length and done 30 – 40
minutes before event. The main goal is to prepare musculoskeletal
system for high impact performance


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The most important is to massage body parts that will be used during
competition or practice.

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Warning; Any type of massage must be given especially cautiously
before a competition. Do not use vigorous vibration techniques

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Pre-event massage interview

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How much time before the start of your event?
Have you done your warm-up routine?
Do you have any health conditions that I have to know
Are there recent or prior injuries that still bother you?
Do you have any specific concerns that you would like I take care of?
What is your expectation regarding competitions today? 

How would you like to feel after massage? Relaxed, invigorated,
refreshed?

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Inter-competition massage
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Inter-competition massage is helpful to quickly restore energy levels,
balance psycho-emotional state, prevent injury, cramps, spasms, and
relieve pain in case of micro-trauma or chronic problems. In the instance
of trauma, it is good to have training in taping and cold application.
Massage session can vary from 1 - 2 minutes to 15 - 20 minutes.

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