‘Recover quicker, train harder, and increase flexibility’: massage therapy for elite paracyclists, a mixed-methods study

Abstract

ObjectivesMassage therapy (MT) enhances recovery by reducing pain and fatigue in able-bodied endurance athletes. In athletes with disabilities, no studies have examined similar MT outcomes, yet participation in sport has increased by >1000 athletes from 1996 to 2016 Olympic games. We examined the effect of MT on pain, sleep, stress, function and performance goals on the bike, as well as quality of life off the bike, in elite paracycling athletes.MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental, convergent, parallel, mixed-methods design study of one team, with nine paracycling participants, in years 2015 and 2016. One-hour MT sessions were scheduled one time per week for 4 weeks, and then every other week for the duration of the time the athlete was on the team and/or in the study. Closed and open-ended survey questions investigating athlete goals, stress, sleep, pain and muscle tightness were gathered pre and post each MT session, and every 6 months for health-related quality of life. Quantitative analysis timepoints include baseline, 4–6 months of intervention and final visit. Additional qualitative data were derived from therapists’ treatment notes, exit surveys, and follow-up emails from the athletes and therapists.ResultsSignificant improvement was found for sleep and muscle tightness; quantitative results were reinforced by athlete comments indicating MT assisted in their recovery while in training. There were no improvements in dimensions measuring quality of life; qualitative comments from athletes suggest reasons for lack of improvement.ConclusionThis real-world study provides new information to support MT for recovery in elite paracyclists.

The Use of Upper-Body Intermittent Sequential Pneumatic Compression Arm Sleeves on Recovery From Exercise in Wheelchair Athletes

“…This was expected because of the enhanced blood flow associated with massage (Brukner & Khan, 2012). This was also based on previously discussed studies such as Zadkhosh et al (2015), Ogai et al (2008) and Kennedy et al (2018), which highlighted possible psychological benefits of massage, a reduction in BP would seem logical. Yet following CWT treatment HR and systolic BP increased.…”

“…Despite this study not focusing on massage as an acute recovery method, one of the findings could be of interest in relation to this review. Massage was found to increase the participant's perception of recovery, as they felt able to train and compete with more intensity (Kennedy et al, 2018). Due to this study being completed in a real-life setting, external validity may be higher than studies completed in a laboratory setting, potentially increasing generalisability of the data (Camm & Fox, 2018).…”

“…Important information such as the time spent under hot and cold water or whether participants were sitting or standing when HR and BP were measured were not available. Kennedy, Patil and Trilk (2018) only recently completed one of the first studies to investigate the benefits of massage therapy for Paralympic level cyclists. The aim of this study was to analyse how massage could influence sleep quality, pain, stress levels and functional ability (specifically muscle tightness and spasticity).…”

Massage Therapy Research Review

“…In the study on career women, acupressure massage led to improved sleep as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index after a four-week treatment (Kao, Huang, Chung, Hsu, Tang, et al, 2017). In a study on elite cycling athletes, one-hour massage therapy sessions were given one time per week for four weeks and then for every other week over a six-month treatment period (Kennedy, Patil & Trilk, 2018). At the end of the treatment period, sleep was significantly improved and massage therapy reportedly also helped the recovery of the athletes.…”

Practitioner perspectives of athlete recovery in paralympic sport

“…Paralympic sport has evolved exponentially, with over 4000 athletes competing in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games 1 compared to the first Stoke Mandeville Games, as part of the 1948 London Olympics, which saw 16 athletes compete. 2 With substantial growth, increases in training intensities, more competitive performances, and development of more innovative technologies have transpired.…”