Massage question.

Is it good to have massage work done while following F1 and H1?  If so, how often and what kind of massage.

Thank you.

Mark Schoenhard said:

Is it good to have massage work done while following F1 and H1?  If so, how often and what kind of massage.

 

Thank you.

Generally, the answer is yes as long as you don't get a relaxation massage prior to training (even several hours before). What type of massage depends entirely on the goals (performance, stress reduction, medical).

Cory, can you elaborate a bit on your point about a relaxation massage? Does it just diminish performance or does it increase risk of injury (or something else)?

mcneuen said:

Cory, can you elaborate a bit on your point about a relaxation massage? Does it just diminish performance or does it increase risk of injury (or something else)?

Both.  A healthy individual's sympathetic/parasympathetic balance will be 0 where neither side has dominance. Receiving a full body >15 minute massage impacts this (even if the balance isn't 0 to begin with) and puts you in a disadvantaged state for training. It all comes down to timing. This type of massage is great but is most productive on a recovery day, ideally halfway through your weekly work load. 

Sport massage also plays on this fine balance pre-, inter-, and post-event. Some athletes will be more towards the agitated side while others tend towards the apathetic side immediately prior to competition. Shaving a little off the dominant side with specific and minimal techniques brings them back in balance and allows them to better take advantage of their previous training.