Is a massage proven to be beneficial in sports/athlete recovery?

For competitive long distance running, I belive that massages are essential in recovering from severe stress related injuries, however not the massage that you would normally think about. If a runner has a severe injury in a tendon, it is possible that during the initial healing process weak scar tissue will develop around the injury and when the intensity starts to resume, the area will be more suseptible to a new injury. A friction massage (preferably from a physical therapist) to break up the scar tissue so that new healthy tissue can develop is often essential to recovery.

Research has shown that sports massage helps athletes be less fatigued and they feel like they recovery more quickly after having a massage. Subjective perception of less anxiety, better mood and feelings of well being were noted. One study noted a 30% delaying of muscle soreness, a finding that is supported by other reports.

The research data does not support the following claims: 1. It does not help the muscles get rid of accumulated lactic acid - it does support another means: low intensity exercises done afterwards 2. It does not support the claim of increased flow of blood to the muscles 3.It does not find that there is a quicker recovery after a massage.

The quoted reference below has several resources that back up the research findings.

Research has shown that sports massage helps athletes be less fatigued and they feel like they recovery more quickly after having a massage. Subjective perception of less anxiety, better mood and feelings of well being were noted. One study noted a 30% delaying of muscle soreness, a finding that is supported by other reports.

The research data does not support the following claims: 1. It does not help the muscles get rid of accumulated lactic acid - it does support another means: low intensity exercises done afterwards 2. It does not support the claim of increased flow of blood to the muscles 3.

It does not find that there is a quicker recovery after a massage. The quoted reference below has several resources that back up the research findings.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.