The benefits of massage in bodybuilding can
increase their competitiveness by enhancing
their performance and helping them reach their
physical potential. The effects of hard training
and injuries can impair their bodybuilding
development. Massage can combat the
negative effects of bodybuilding and may even
help them gain greater muscle mass, develop
a more proportional and symmetrical physique.
Range of Motion:
Massage treatments support healthy range
of motion for bodybuilders. Tightness of the
muscles can limit range of motion and using tight
muscles can definitely cause injuries. Massage
therapy stretches bundles of your muscle fibers
lengthwise and sideways to improve tissue
elasticity. It also may release tension or pressure
by stretching out the sheath or fascia around
your muscles. Often muscular scar tissue is
developed and this can produce inflexible
tissue and increases the risk for injury and pain.
Massage can restore mobility by breaking down
scar tissue caused by over training or previous
injury. According to Mel Cash, the gentle
stretching of your muscles keeps then in good
condition, maintains the health of connective
tissue and improves the condition of your joints.
Muscle Tone:
Massage supports a well-defined bodybuilding
physique by increasing circulation that improves
your muscle tone. Damaged or tight muscles do
not hold blood well and may diminish muscle
tone. Pumping techniques may be used to help
move fluid through blood vessels and lymph
nodes. This improves muscle tone by helping
damaged and tight tissues get nutrients required
for growth and repair.
Psychological:
Receiving a massage before a bodybuilding
competition can improve the client’s performance
by enhancing his mental awareness, boost the
client’s level of confidence and their outlook
on body image. Bodybuilding training often
increases the clients stress levels, using massage
the therapist is able to induce relaxation and
reduce stress levels.
MASSAGE AFTER
A COMPETITION:
Most athletes that have massages after
Recovery:
their event say this is the best method of
Muscles need recovery nutrients to repair
damage and grow for bodybuilding. Massage
speeds up recovery by increasing muscle
tissue permeability to a variety of helpful
and natural substances the body gives off,
such as endorphins, which are your body’s
natural painkiller. It is also able to induce
microcirculation by opening and stretching
blood vessels; this helps nutrients pass through
efficiently. Massage is very good at facilitating
the removal of wastes and will help reduce that
post work-out fatigue and allow you to train
harder and decrease the chances of injury.
relaxation, massage helps the body and
mind relax. Massages performed after a
workout or competition helps to relieve
the effects of muscular fatigue, soreness
and stiffness and it allows the muscles
to maintain flexibility and looseness. The
joints, tendons and ligaments are also
helped in the same matter.
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