SPORTS MASSAGE WHAT AND WHY?

reject various hypotheses”. Regardless of this, first and

foremost the delivery of massage must be clinically safe, and aspects of effectiveness should then be considered, ideally to provide both a safe and effective service. Clearly when evidence is lacking, massage should be guided by experience, by clinical reasoning and by rational therapeutic principles, and it should correspond with the desires and needs of individual athletes. Where applicable, a multidisciplinary team approach should be adopted. Discussion helps develop harmony and cohesion, and identifies needs and constraints while improving adherence to strategies. Developing an ongoing relationship between the therapist and the athlete is crucial for achieving desired outcomes.

CONCLUSION It is obvious that the need for standardised massage parameters and the effects of sports massage on athletic performance warrant more research in the area. Therapists, athletes and coaches alike should be excited by the prospects and potential opportunities that sports massage has to offer. For best results, clear aims and supporting strategies must be formulated and corroborated by all those involved. The take-home message is quite simple: don’t get beleaguered by all the literature – just go out and get on with it!

References 1. Caldwell E. Remedial massage therapy. 2001 Corpus Publishing ISBN 978- 1903333020 2. Hemmings B. Physiological, psychological and performance effects of massage therapy in sport: a review of the literature. Physical Therapy in Sport 2001;2(4): 165–170 3. McKechnie G, Young W, Behm D. Acute effects of two massage techniques on ankle flexibility and power of the plantar flexors.

Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 2007;6:498–504 4. Ashton J, Cassell D. Review for therapeutic massage and bodywork certification. 2002 Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins ISBN 978-1582555638 5. Stiles L. The right course: sports massage. sportEx 2001;7:17–19 6. Weerapong P, Hume P, Kolt G. The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Medicine 2005;35(3):235–256 7. Callaghan M. The role of massage in the management of the athlete: a review. British Journal of Sports Medicine 1993;27:28–33 8. Norris C. Sports injuries: Diagnosis and management. 2004 Butterworth Heinemann ISBN 978-0750652230 9. Holey E, Cook E. Evidence-based therapeutic massage. 2003 Churchill Livingstone ISBN 978-0443072307 10. Cash M. Sports massage: Hands-on help. sportEX health 2003;18:28–29 11. Bramah B. Massage training and the physiotherapy BSc degree. sportEX dynamics 2006;9:9–10 12. Galloway S, Hunter A. Mind or body? Research into sports massage. sportEX dynamics 2005;4:12–14 13. Galloway S, Watt, M. Massage provision by physiotherapists at major athletic events between 1987 and 1998. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2004;38:235-236 14. Cooper S. A tale from Athens. sportEX dynamics 2005;3:8–10 15. Crompton K. Spreading the massage at the Paralympics. sportEX dynamics 2005;4:6–7 16. Great Britain Cycling Team: Excellence Department. National Cycling Centre. Manchester 2008 17. Moraska A. Therapist education impacts the massage effect on prostate muscle recovery. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2007;39(1):34–37 18. Tiidus P, Shoemaker J. Effleurage massage, muscle blood flow and long- term post-exercise strength recovery. International Journal of Sports Medicine 1995;16:478–483 19. Briggs J. Sports therapy: Theoretical and practical thoughts and considerations. 2001 Corpus Publishing ISBN 190333040 20. Heymanson N, Hiskins B. Delayed onset muscle soreness and soft tissue therapy - what makes good research? sportEX

THE AUTHORS

Nick Dinsdale BSc (Hons), PG Dip, MSST and Nicola Dinsdale BSc (Hons) Graduate sports therapists Nick Dinsdale and his daughter Nicola Dinsdale run the NJD Sports Injury Clinic in Clitheroe. The clinic is recognised for its strong “evidence-based” approach to the management of musculoskeletal conditions and ongoing professional development. Nick is a member of the Executive Committee of The Society of Sports Therapists and has an honours degree in applied sports therapy. He is currently studying towards an MSc in sport and exercise (sport injury pathway) at Manchester Metropolitan University. Nicola graduated from Teesside University with an honours degree in sports therapy and is also the sports therapist for Blackburn Rugby Union Football Club.

www.sportEX.net 13 FOR DIAGNOSIS

TOUCH IS A VERY POWERFUL TOOL

dynamics 2006;10:8–11 21. Hilbert J, Sforzo G, Swensen T. The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003;37:72–75 22. Mancinelli C, Davis D, Aboulhosn L. et al. The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness and physical performance in female collegiate athletes. Physical Therapy in Sport 2006;7:5–13 23. Brukner P, Khan K. Clinical sports medicine, 2nd edn. 2001 McGraw–Hill 24. Robertson A, Watt JM, Galloway SD. Effects of massage on recovery from high- intensity cycling exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2004;38:173-176 25. Ernst, E 1998. Does post exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 32, 212–214 26. Moraska A. Sports massage: A comprehensive review. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2005;45:370–380 27. Tiidus P. Manual massage and recovery of muscle function following exercise: A literature review. Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy 1997;25:107–112 28. Hemmings B, Smith M, Graydon J, Dyson R. Effects of massage on physiological restoration, perceived recovery, and repeated sports performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2000;34:109–114 29. Watson T. The role of electrotherapy in contemporary physiotherapy practice. Manual Therapy 2000;5:132–141 30. Bledsoe J. So what is wheat and what is chaff about this new performance drink Endurox? In: Sports therapy: Theoretical and practical thoughts and considerations. 1999 Corpus Publishing ISBN 190333040.