Friday, April 11, 2008

Sports Massage Helps Performance

A sports massage will help you perform better as an athlete. Typically, lifting weights, training with medicine balls, increasing speed, etc. are thought of immediately as ways to improve performance.

Sports massage is also an important tool that you can use to help you perform better during practice and competition. It can be used before, during and after practice or competition. Stress, tension and adhesions build up in your soft tissues (muscles, skin, tendons, etc.) during intense competition and overuse.

The benefits of sports massage include improved flexibility, tension release, relieving of swelling, alleviation of fatigue and prevention of injuries.

Athletes can also use self massage (Self Myofascial Release) with foam rolls (SMRF).

Think of yourself as your own physical therapist when using SMRF. You can increase the elasticity in your muscles by improving your flexibility. The foam roller is one of the most effective techniques for releasing tension while improving mobility.

Foam rolling exercises will release and organize your muscles, as well as release and align your skeletal system. Muscle injuries such as strains and tears and broken bones can be avoided with proper flexibility and skeletal alignment. You'll immediately feel the effectiveness of SMFR and its something you can do every day at home.

You should not do intense practice or competition after a sports massage. Wait until the following day to work on your sports skills.

In part 2 of this series, I will discuss the different types of sports massage.

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!  There are 3 levels:  beginner, intermediate and advanced.  Start at your level and progress.

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
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