Numerous studies have been conducted regarding the effect of sports massage on athletes. Many of these studies have yielded mixed results. One study comparing professional athletes and controls showed no significant difference in muscle soreness among the groups. Another study that examined professional athletes against controls found a significant improvement in muscle pain for athletes who received massage. However there was no signifi cant improvement in the condition of athletes who did not receive massage. Similar results were found in a separate study that contrasted active athletes with non-athletes.

Although there aren't conclusive studies that prove that the benefits of sports massage on athletic performance However, numerous studies have found that it can aid athletes in recovering faster. Researchers found that athletes who were engaged in intense exercise programs were less likely to recover from massages. In another study, athletes who performed an exercise with a maximum workload performed significantly better than controls when given the Sports massage. In a separate study, massage therapists were able to show a marked improvement in the physical performance of overweight adolescent girls.

A study that compared the production of lactic acid in control and injured groups found no difference. However, the researchers concluded that the effects of massage depend on who it is that it is being administered to. Researchers found that lactic acids were produced at a higher amount in the group that was not being massaged than during exercise, and were significantly lower after the session. However the injured group showed higher lactic acid production and it remained higher following the session. A possible reason for this is that the increased lactic acid production could decrease the threshold for pain of injured patients and result in greater perceived effort during exercise.

There are a variety of theories regarding how massage can enhance athletic performance. The faster recovery of athletes from injuries is feasible according to experts in physiology. The same theory suggests that athletes benefit from stretching out the muscles that are superficial to the shoulders and arms to strengthen their muscles. Another theory suggests that athletes who participate in intense activities during competition may be able recover quicker by having their lower muscles more tense and shorter. And a strong abdominal muscle core can prevent spasms and cramps that happen to athletes during strenuous activity.

Massages for athletes can help increase their flexibility and muscle strength. Stretching muscles can make them more flexible and open to training and movement. However, as athletes continue to train, the muscles eventually become stiff and limit their motion. To ease the pain in their muscles the athletes must engage in exercises to stretch out muscles that are tight. Sports massage can help with this.

Research has demonstrated that during times of high intensity or exercise athletes experience a significant increase in the production of cortisol, a hormone that is a sign of physical stress. Studies have demonstrated that cortisol increases the strength of muscles and endurance during low intensity workout. The endurance of the athletes was measured before and after they completed 30 sprints. During sprints, muscle twitch activation was recorded and the results indicated an increase in muscle strength following the sprints.

The strength increase in muscles resulted from the increased amount of glycogen in the muscles. Glycogen is an important source of energy in muscles following intense workouts. When an athlete's body is exposed to high intensity physical exertion it releases large amounts of glycogen to replenish energy lost during sprints. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Northumbria in the UK showed that performing several sprints prior 포항안마 to the start of competitive cycling caused a significant increase in the amount of muscle glycogen.

These studies have proven that massages during sports can be beneficial to athletes, both during and after intense workouts. All of these studies were done on healthy non-athletes. If you suffer from any health condition that affect circulation , such as kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, it's best to consult your physician before starting any form of therapy.