Massage Therapy, Fitness and Optimal Performance

Massage therapy is often used as an adjunct to a fitness routine to assist in achieving peak athletic performance. There are a variety of ways in which massage therapy is used to promote optimal fitness – massage therapy is not all just about spas and “fluff”. Massage can be used to increase the suppleness of muscle, aid in recovery after exertion, assist in fluid removal in the presence of injury or inflammation (from non-infectious origins) or control pain through the release of endorphins.
Massage therapy affects muscles in 2 ways: mechanically and chemically. Mechanically, it is the kneading, stretching and compression of the tissue which stimulates the smooth muscle of the blood vessels and increases blood flow to and from the area. (due to an increase in histamine – see below). Manual manipulation of the tissue will also literally break adhesions and scar tissue, regardless of whether techniques are applied with or against the muscle fibre. This decrease in inelastic scar tissue will allow muscles to contract and elongate as they should, and will increase muscle performance.
At a chemical level, massage therapy can cause the release of “endorphins”, neurotransmitters that reduce the perception of pain, and increase a feeling of wellbeing. Increased permeability of the blood vessels is caused by release of histamine in response to mechanical stimulation – this increase in blood flow leads to “hyperemia”, redness which is often visible after a massage.
The application of therapeutic massage plays a role in event preparation as well as recovery and maintenance, though the goals and application will be different depending on the timing of the treatment in relation to the activity.
Pre-event, the purpose of massage is to “wake-up” and warm-up the muscles, ensuring that they are ready for physical demands to be placed on them. During a pre-event treatment, the movements of the therapist are quick, stimulating the nerves in the area and increasing the ability of a muscle to react to stimuli. Circulation to the muscle is also increased and with it oxygen delivery to the muscle cells, causing a subsequent increase in cellular metabolism and improved functionality. Increased blood flow also warms up the muscle, allowing for greater pre-event stretching, imperative to optimizing performance and reducing injury due to muscle strain.
Post-event massage is much slower, encouraging the body to relax after exertion. Massage therapy at this stage is utilized to assist the body in removing metabolic waste, relaxing and stretching the fatigued muscle. This is done by increasing the circulation and pliability of the muscle tissue. The increased removal of metabolic waste such as lactic acid will decrease recovery time and soreness in the days following an event.
Massage therapy used as a maintenance tool will assist an athlete in maintaining optimal muscle health. During maintenance treatments, the therapist will assess the condition of tissue and establish a treatment plan in conjunction with the goals and condition of the client. It is during these treatments that muscle imbalances are often identified; adhesions and scar …

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Sports Supplements – How To Get Natural Strength And Boost Performance

When it comes to natural supplements, there are many different products on the market that you can choose from. For athletes, supplements that are created and geared towards sports can often give them the extra boost that they need to play better and last longer during their favorite activities.
From high school athletes to professionals, sports supplements have been used for decades without any major issues whatsoever. Keep in mind that chemical supplements are not the topic of discussion here. This article is specifically focused on all-natural health supplements that can help with sports performance and strength.
When it comes to performing in sporting events, you have to have the right balance of fitness and vitamins in your routine. If you are working out too much, you will need more carbohydrates. To do this without eating terrible food, you can take supplements.
If you need antioxidants because your body is stressed, you can take a supplement. There are a variety of naturally-occurring substances that athletes of all kinds rely on for their various health and performance needs. Sometimes, people use certain products regularly, while other times they may only use them here and there as needed.
If it works, it doesn’t matter. Sports supplements can offer increased strength, stamina, endurance, and more ability to accomplish the various sporting goals that people have. These are not offering any enhancements that would be considered cheating or unfair, but are simply helping to create better, healthier bodies so that sports can be played much more successfully.
Like nutritional supplements, these are not a magical cure that is going to make everything better overnight. They can be very effective, but supplements will take time to work and will only do so much. Your body has to do the rest.
It is very important that you get supplements from a brand that you know and trust. This is especially true with sports supplements because you could risk your entire game, season, or career on taking something that you aren’t really sure about.
These natural supplements aren’t FDA regulated so it is up to you to find a credible resource for the supplements that you need so that you can get the products that work without spending a fortune or buying from the wrong company. Take the time to learn about sports supplements and your different options so that you can get the best products every single time.…

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Train on One Leg to Maximize Sports Performance

YES, two legs are better than one, but if you would like to increase the effectiveness of both of them performing together, train them with single leg drills!

Why? By training with single leg drills and exercises you teach your body how to function better just using one of those limbs. In this way the body is forced to adjust by balancing, coordinating and being strong without one leg relying on the other. And the better your legs become at working as singles, the more effectiveness you get from both legs working together!

Try these athletic drills and exercises below on one leg:

Lifting Stand on one leg as you perform any type of lifting such as curls, presses and pulls

Ladder/Hurdle Drills Perform various drills on one foot hoping forward, laterally and backwards

Boxes/steps Use a mini box (6″) or step to perform single leg hops both sideways and forward

Jump rope This is one of the best: put that single foot in motion as you spin the rope for quickness

Medicine Ball Perform standing medicine balls drills throwing and tossing the ball from a single leg as your body balances and stabilizes throughout the entire motion

There a dozens more ways you can make single leg training effective. The more innovating and creative you are, the more efficient your athletic movements become. Plus, throw in the use of athletic actions such as throwing or catching a ball or other sport related item. Be creative and make it sport specific!…

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