Sports massage has a different role during the four stages of any sport;
training, pre-event, during event and post-event. Sports massage for the athlete’s training phase is sport-specific and tailored to prevent injury, overuse, and assist specific movement patterns through the reduction of adhesions and improved flexibility.
Before the athlete’s activity, with the use of quick, stimulatory techniques, sports massage can loosen, lengthen and stimulate the athlete’s muscles to prepare them for their activity. During the event, specific, very short duration, sports massage can stave off potential event ending injuries. Post-event sports massage can decrease muscle soreness, promote flexibility and assist recovery of over-worked, tightened muscles using varying techniques to flush, lengthen and release adhesions in order to facilitate a reduction in post-event recovery time.
