FOR THE COMPETITOR
During competitions, such as tournaments and races,
athletes push themselves to their limits, performing at
maximum effort. At these times, sports massage is used
to prepare for, and recover from the stresses of all-out effort.
PRE-EVENT
Pre-event sports massage is given within four hours preceding
an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries.
It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning
massage, and focuses on warming up the major muscles to be used,
and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition.
Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete,
and others can be stimulating.
INTER/INTRA-EVENT
Inter and Intra-event massage is given between events or in
time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity,
and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and
focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity.
POST-EVENT
Post-event sports massage is given after a competition and
is mainly concerned with recovery. Recovery after competition
involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also
general relaxation and mental calming. A recovery session
might be 15 minutes to 90 minutes in length.
Some tournaments and races provide sports massage for
competitors, or you may want to schedule an appointment
before and/or after an event with your massage therapist.
You don't have to be a professional athlete to benefit from
therapeutic massage.
