Preparing for finals

​As the end of winter approaches most sportspeople are also preparing for finals in their chosen codes. As the season draws to an end fatigue can play a big part in increasing your risk of injury and impairing performance during the finals.

Studies have shown that massage may help reduce fatigue and aid in muscle recovery by improving your quality of sleep as most of your muscle recovery is done while counting sheep.( 1)

Massage facilitates soft tissue healing by reducing both primary and secondary oedema. Studies have shown that incorporating massage on top of the usual ice, compression and elevation may get you back on the field 2 days sooner. Massage may help to improve circulation to injured areas to help muscles recover sooner and heal faster helping to get you back training and playing sooner. Not only can it help you prepare physically for the big day but it can also help you prepare mentally.

Psychological readiness is an important part of game day preparation, massage may assist with this, studies have shown that massage may improve mood and reduce anxiety leading to improved performance. (2).  When you receive your massage is really up to you, my personal advice on how I prepare myself for finals is, I like to receive a massage 1 to 2 days post game to help aid recovery and also the day before game day to mentally and physically prepare for the final show down.

1. Kennedy AB, Patil N, Trilk JL..  ‘Recover quicker, train harder, and increase flexibility’: massage therapy for elite paracyclists, a mixedmethods study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2018;4:e000319. doi:10.1136/ bmjsem-2017-000319, Accepted 22 December 201
2. Jason Brummitt, MSPT, SCS, ATCa, , ’The Role of Massage in Sports Performance and Rehabilitation: Current Evidence and Future Direction’, N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2008 Feb; 3(1): 7–21.  

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by Ben Hewitt