Monday 4 August 2014

Benefits of Stretching and Massage for Athletes

Athletes must continually train their bodies and minds for competition and events. The performance of an athlete has to always be optimal. Stretching and massage are some of the ways that athletes ensure that their bodies are in good condition at all times.  According to research, stretching affects the muscular system, and nervous system in a way that is beneficial to athletes.  There are several benefits that athletes receive from stretching and massage. Athletes in the West Georgia area can receive massage from trained Therapists in Hiram, GA, Douglasville, GA and Carrollton, GA.  There are many therapists trained in sports massage, and it is beneficial to an athlete to work with the same therapist for optimal results.  The benefits of stretching and include:

1.    Improved sleeping patterns

    Regular massage helps ensure that the athlete sleeps well. Good regenerative sleep is important as it allows the body and brain to heal after strenuous training. For an athlete, quality sleep means that he or she can accomplish his regimen in an optimal and efficient way.

2.    Reduced muscle pain and injury


    As athletes practice or engage in their sporting activities, they often face pain because of inflammation and injury often caused by repetitive movement.  An athlete that must recuperate from an injury loses precious training time.  A knowledgeable  therapist can help an athlete avoid serious injury, thereby helping the athlete to keep their competitive edge. Through massage muscles are relieved of tightness and inflammation which can lead to a pulled or torn muscle. 

3.    Improvement of blood circulation in the body

    A therapeutic massage helps fatigued muscles relax.  When muscles are tight and constricted blood does not flow evenly around the tissue. Blood flow circulates around the body more efficiently when a muscle is relaxed.  Since an athlete is using up more energy, efficient circulation of blood ensures that the athlete breathes easily which improves performance levels. An athlete can also avoid fainting episodes that result from lack of enough blood in the brain.

4.    Improved flexibility


    Regular stretching before and after engaging in a sporting activity is important for an athlete. A more flexible muscle is capable of higher performance. A flexible muscle can be pushed to its limits without tearing or pulling.  Massage helps the muscles to stretch and relax thereby allowing the athlete to perform to his/her highest capability.

5.    Enhanced mental health


    Athletes often face high stress levels. This is because of the pressure from their coaches and also personal pressure to perform the best in whichever sport they are participating in. Since they spend most of the time training, it can be difficult to find quality time to relax. The few minutes spent with a therapist are worth it for the athlete. The athlete is refreshed and relaxed mentally and physically from the experience. This is important because it ensures that the athlete does not suffer from lethargy and exhaustion.

Athleticism does not only depend on the physical strength of an athlete but also his psychological strength. Massage therefore helps reduce the stress levels as it allows the body and mind to be relaxed

Sports massage can be found in Hiram, GA as well as other cities in West Georgia. Sports therapists are specially trained to deal with athletes who come in for massage sessions. These therapists perform: a faster paced massage specialized stretching, instruction for the athlete. The therapist may offer guidance to the athlete on how to stretch his or her muscles. Sports massage can take place before the athlete engages in any sporting activity.  Intermediate message occurs during a break from the sporting activity. For example, an athlete may experience a spasm while running. A therapist can perform a massage on the pressure point to relieve muscle tightness. Deep-tissue massage takes place after a sporting activity. An athlete may have a problem with a certain part of the body.  Sports massage can be an uncomfortable form. This is because it gets into the deeper tissue and muscle fibers.  Overall, one feels much better after attending a session. It is best for athletes to have a massage at least 30 minutes weekly to reap maximum benefits from therapy.

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