Why Can Massage Therapy Give Athletes a Competitive Edge?

girl doing a lift text why massage therapy can give athletes a competitive edge Massage therapy has countless benefits for athletes and people who enjoy sports. Some benefits include improved performance, faster recovery from injury, and injury prevention. It’s not a surprise at all that so many athletes and sports lovers turn to regular massage. And they even make it an essential part of their routine. Here are some benefits of why massage therapy can give athletes a competitive edge.

Some of the positive effects of massage that athletes particularly benefit from include:

  • Reduced muscle tension
  • Better muscle tone
  • Promoting relaxation
  • Increased range of motion
  • Improved soft tissue function
  • Decreased muscle stiffness
  • Less muscle fatigue after exercising
  • Improved performance
  • Less delayed onset muscle soreness
  • Fewer injuries

What is Sports Massage?

Therapeutic sports massage is a specific massage technique. It uses some moves and techniques used in deep tissue massage and concentrates mainly on the soft tissues. This massage type address injuries, aches, and pains. There’s evidence that this type of massage can help and has shown that a deep massage session after an intense workout can benefit muscles from within; it can cause muscles to enlarge and grow new mitochondria. Mitochondria are the parts of the cells that convert nutrients into energy.

In the study carried out at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, researchers asked men to exercise to the point of exhaustion on stationary cycles, then gave them a deep tissue massage on one leg only.  Muscle biopsies showed that deep-tissue massage increased the size and number of new mitochondria more than exercising without massage.

The pressure involved in a sports massage stimulates blood flow. It doesn’t only get your blood pumping, but it also warms up muscles during and after your massage session. That’s on top of the feeling of relaxation that you can get. A sports massage helps you de-stress after working out and improves your mood. These are the sort of mental benefits that could furthermore give you an edge over your competitors too.

How to Have a Competitive Edge?

If those benefits make you want to book a regular massage as part of your essential training, you wouldn’t be alone.  More and more professional as well as recreational athletes are cottoning on to massage therapy’s benefits. They even make it an essential part of their regime.

More research is carried out into how massage can improve an athlete’s performance. And more and more athletes will be taking advantage of its long list of feel-good benefits. Some athletes even book a pre-event sports massage therapy. This massage boosts the performance of their muscles to perform best during an event.

No need to worry. We at BMS can give you the competitive edge you need for that sporting event. Book your massage now or call us to secure your appointment. Our certified massage therapists will not only be happy but ready to help with your concerns too.

Brilliant Massage & Skin

Burlington, Vermont