History of sport massage
Introduction
Sports massage is a type of body work that is used by therapists as primary care to help participants in athletics. The term sport massage is used to refer to the application of massage techniques so as to improve the performance of the body. There are different techniques of sport massage. That is western massage like Swedish massage and Russian massage. Sports massage is used in athletics as it has various benefits. Sports massage is used in athletics to prevent injuries. It is used to prepare the body for sports activities and maintain the body in its optimal conditions. Also, sports massage is used to help athletes recover from work outs and injuries incurred during sports. There are three types of sport massage. That is pre event massage, post event massage and maintain message. Sports massage was used by athletes in the olden days. But, Use of massage has become common in the modern society. The growth of sports massage is a result of achievement of several athletes. The concept of sport massage is has developed through integration of massage activities carried out by different communities in olden days. This paper analyzes the history of sports massage.
History of sports massage
The history of sport massage is composed of early periods and modern periods (Calvert 2002, p194). The concepts of massage used in early period contributed a lot to the development of sport massage in the modern period and early days (Calvert 2002, p194). Sports massage has its origin in earlier periods of history(Calvert 2002, p194). Most communities in the early days used massage in their athletics to cure injuries, increase blood flow and nutrients. They also used sports massage to prepare the athletes psychologically (Calvert 2002, p194). The three types of sports massage were common in the olden days. Communities combined massage and exercise when training athletes (Calvert 2002, p194). For example, ancient Greeks and Romans combined massage and exercise when carry out training. Various types of Asian culture developed different types of massage for dancers. They also developed massage for martial art students (Calvert 2002, p194)
Massage was common in the society in olden days (Calvert 2002, p194). Biblical evidences show that communities practiced daily massage with olive oil and myrrh. The concept was applied much in religious practices in olden days because it had a lot of benefit (Calvert 2002, p194). The concept of sport massage developed as a result of use of massage in different countries (Calvert 2002, p194).The same concepts applied in massage or other types of massage are applied in sport massage(Calvert 2002, p194). Communities used different types of massage like aromatic massage, Swedish massage, Thai massage and Chinese manual therapy. The massage used by the communities played similar roles as sport massage (Calvert 2002, p194).Sports massage is an acceptable in athletics. Massage practices are found in every culture and country (Calvert 2002, p194).
Different countries and culture have different forms of massage therapy. The differences in massage are as a result of civilization in various countries like Greece, china and Rome (Calvert 2002, p194). The civilization helped countries create different forms of massage. Most people used massage to control injuries and improve blood flow. Sports massage started being used 30,000 year ago (Calvert 2002, p194). Recent studies show that sport massage was common in France, Africa, Australia, Rome and China. Communities in this region used sports massage as a form of ritual in ceremonial events (Calvert 2002, p194). For example, sports massage was used in China (Calvert 2002, p194). In china sport massage developed as a result of civilization. Communities in china absorbed ideas into their traditions and this led to development of sport massage (Calvert 2002, p194).The community had a wide range of activities that used sports massage (Calvert 2002, p194). The ancient Greeks are acknowledged for establishing sports. They founded Olympic Games which are common in the modern society, and they apply the sport massage concept (Calvert 2002, p194).
Sports massage began as a formal practice in the Soviet Union, and communist bloc countries. The Soviet Union and communist bloc countries started using sports massage in 1960s. Soviet teams were the first group to use sports massage (Calvert 2002, p194). In addition to being the first group to use the massage, the group was the first to have a massage therapist travel with them (Calvert 2002, p194). The therapists helped massage the athletes on daily basis. This increased the performance of the athletes (Calvert 2002, p194). The concept of sports massage moved from one country to another through sports and cultural exchange between communities. For example, the concept of sports massage moved from Soviet Union and communist bloc countries to Europe and United States (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78). Though countries like Asia had different types of massage, the concept of sports massage became common in the society. Most athletes in European countries have used sports massage during athletic activities. This is because of the benefits associated with the three types of massage. The athletes use sports massage as the primary care (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78).
Trainers and coaches in United States used sports massage to restore body tissues, blood flow and reduce injuries. Sports massage was not accepted in the olden days, but the concept has become acceptable in the past decade. The concept of sports massage spread in the country through sports and cultural activities. Jack Meagher established the concept of sports massage in United States (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78). He established the concept after an encounter with the different types of sports massage. He encountered the techniques of sports massage while in France. That was in world war 11 (Calvert 2002, p194). After discovering sports massage and the techniques of sports massage he developed the concept in the United States (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78). Massage became common in United States in 1800s and was introduced by two New York physicians (Calvert 2002, p194). The massage was based on per Henrik ling’s techniques that were developed in Sweden. The use of massage declined in 1930’s and 1940’s because of medical advancements. The use of massage grew rapidly in 1970s and was common among athletes. Nurses used massage to help patients and cure pain (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78).
The modern sports massage started in 1900s.The concept was established by Finnish school of massage (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78). The school used Swedish massage started to develop a sports massage system for the athletes (Calvert 2002, p194). The system would help athletes by providing primary care. It would help relieve muscle tension, injuries and prepare the athletes psychologically (Calvert 2002, p194). The modern concept of sports massage became common at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924. The concept of sport massage developed fully in the modern society as a result of Olympic Games (Calvert 2002, p194).This was as a result of various achievements made by athletes (Calvert 2002, p194). During the Olympic Games, Paavo Nurmi from Finland came with a personal massage therapist who gave him special attention (Calvert 2002, p194). The therapists massaged Paavo on daily basis. Paavo won 5 gold medals in the Olympic Games in Paris (Parker-bennett &Mills 2004, p 78).
He claimed that sports massage contributed to his success. He included sports massage in his training program so as to build his muscles, and increase performance by reducing injuries and increase the flow of blood (Findlay 2010, p5). Paavo won five gold medals in one day, with a thirty minutes break between the activities. Most of the countries and athletes adopted the concept after Paavo won the game. The development of sports massage in different countries took different times (Findlay 2010, p5). Between 1924 and 1930, Dr.I.M developed the Russian sports massage .The sports massage was taught at the central institute of physical therapy in Moscow. Sports massage continued to spread after the Russian sports massage was established (Findlay 2010, p5). In 1945, a German POW provided massage to Jack Meagher who was a professional athlete and message therapist in United States (Calvert 2002, p194). After receiving sports massage, Jack commended positively on the therapy. He congratulated the German POW for the good work.
Later on, Jack went to learn the sports massage technique from a German instructor. After learning the concept, Jack introduced sports massage in United States (Findlay 2010, p5).In 1950, sports massage became common in Russia. Russian athletes performed well in international events (Findlay 2010, p5). The athletes received strong support for sports massage from Soviet Union. Researchers in Russia started to develop sport massage techniques and identify how effective they are (Calvert 2002, p194). The sport massage techniques and programs continue to be developed in the country today. This is because most people recognize the importance of sports massage in athletics (Findlay 2010, p5).Sports massage became popular among athletes when Lasse Viren set a world record in 10K and 5K. In 1972, Lasse Viren won the 10K games and set a record in the world. He also won the Olympic Games held in Munich, and set a record in the 5K (Findlay 2010, p5). Lasse attributed his success to sports massage (Calvert 2002, p194). He confessed that he received sports massage on daily basis and this improved his performance. Other athletes recognized the importance of sports massage after the confession. After this period the concept of sports massage started diffusing into other countries (Findlay 2010, p5).
Massage became an important skill for athlete trainer after Olympic Games were revived in 1896.The concept of sport massage had disappeared from the United States sports since 1930s. This is because in 1950s, the concept was not acceptable in United States and most athletes in the country did not use it. The concept started being used in United States in 1970s after 20 years (Findlay 2010, p5).Jack Meagher wrote his book entitled Sports massage: A Complete Program for Increasing Performance and Endurance in Fifteen Popular Sports in 1980.This was after 30 year experience with sports massage (Findlay 2010, p5). In 1985, the American massage therapy association established the national sports massage team (Calvert 2002, p194). The team established first appeared at the Boston marathon in 1985(Calvert 2002, p194). The American massage therapy association identified standards to be used in sport massage. The concept of sports massage has not become common in United States (Findlay 2010, p5). The concept has become more common in Europe and Russia. In Russia, sports massage has become a common concept and daily routine in Olympics. Most Olympic athletes use sports massage to keep bodies fit and improve performance (Findlay 2010, p5). Many factors have contributed to the current success of sports massage.
The current success of sports massage in many countries is as a result of Viren’s timely run (Calvert 2002, p194). Lasse Viren made the concept of sports massage common in the modern society. Most people in United States had forgotten about sports massage, but after the Olympic Games the concept became common (Findlay 2010, p5). Sports massage made Lasse Viren and other athletes to perform well. Most people started to recognize the concept and appreciate its benefits (Findlay 2010, p5). Other influential people also influenced the success of sport massage (Findlay 2010, p5). Influential people supported use of sport massage in athletes .They claimed that sports massage provided psychological benefits to the body (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). Sports massage has become common in the modern society. Most athletes use sports massage to improve body fitness and performance. Olympic athletes and athletes at national, regional and local level use sport massage in athletics (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). Therapists provide sports massage to players in different fields. The therapists use the three types of sports massage to offer primary care to athletes. The three types of sports massage play different roles and each type uses different techniques (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). For example, therapists use the pre event massage. The pre event massage is used to prevent serious injuries that results from sports.
It is used to warm up the muscles by stretching them and making them flexible (Calvert 2002, p194). This helps athletes to perform well. A pre event massage is used to stimulate the blood flow, reduce tension and loosen the muscles. It also helps make the athlete psychologically prepared and distribute nutrients. Post event massage helps reduce swellings caused by micro traumas (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). Most athletes suffer from muscle micro traumas. It makes the muscles flexible and increases blood flow. Maintenance massage is done to maintain the blood flow and follow of nutrients to the muscles (Calvert 2002, p194). Sports massage has proven effective and many people recognize the benefits associated with sports massage (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). The concept of sports massage is used in many games not only athletes. Most countries have accepted the use of sport massage and people feel free to use the concept (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). Sports massage used today is based on the early techniques of massage in the community. Globalization leads to development of sport technology in many countries (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4). Sport massage has become a source of income for many people in different countries. Hence, the concept of sports massage has become common in international events (Benjamin & Lamp 2005, p4).
Conclusion
In conclusion, sport massage is one of the different types of massages. Sport massage uses the same concept used in other massages. Sport massage has developed as a result of civilization .Communities have used different types of massages like aromatic massage, Swedish massage, Thai massage and Chinese manual therapy. The massages used today including sports massage are a combination of various massages. The use of sport massage began 30,000 years ago. Ancient Greeks are said to be the founders of Olympic Games. The concept of sport massage spread from one country to another through sports like Olympic Games. It also spread through cultural exchange. Communities exchanged culture and sports techniques. Lasse contributed a lot to the development of sports massage. He won the 10K and 5 k. This made the concept of sport massage to be recognized in many countries. He attributed his success to sport massage. Also, other people led to development of sport massage in various countries. They supported use of sport massage in athletics and other games. This made to easy for people to recognize the important of sport technology. The concept has become common in many countries like United States. Countries use various types of sport massage to increase blood flow, reduce muscle tensions and recover from injuries. Thus, the concept of sports massage is not new in the modern society.
Reference
Benjamin, P.J., & Lamp, S.P.Understanding sports massage. Human Kinetics, 2005, page 4
Findlay, S.Sports Massage. Human Kinetics, 2010, page 5
Calvert, R.N.The history of massage: an illustrated survey from around the world. Inner Traditions / Bear & Company, 2002, page 194
Parker-bennett, S., &Mills, R.Sports massage. Heinemann, 2004, page 78
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