Should I Get a Pre-Event or Post-Event Massage?

 

A pre-event massage is typically performed shortly before a competition or intense physical activity. The main goal of a pre-event massage is to prepare your body so it can perform at its absolute best. Key benefits associated with pre-event massage include: 

 

Increased blood circulation: Pre-event massage helps stimulate blood flow to the muscles, promoting oxygen and nutrient delivery. This increased circulation can enhance muscle performance and flexibility, potentially reducing the risk of injury during the event. 

 

Warming up the muscles: A pre-event massage can effectively warm up the muscles, making them more pliable and flexible. This helps to enhance range of motion, reduce muscle tension, and improve overall performance. It’s important to note that a pre-event massage shouldn’t entirely replace your normal warm, it’s designed to aid it…so don’t ditch your stretches and other warm up routines, please! 

 

Mental relaxation and focus: Besides physical benefits, pre-event massage can also provide mental relaxation and help athletes get into the right mindset before a competition. It can reduce anxiety, stress, and nervousness, allowing athletes to focus on their performance more effectively. 

Post-event massage, as the name suggests, is done after a competition or intense physical activity. It is there to aid in recovery and alleviate muscle soreness. 

 

Enhanced recovery: Post-event massage assists in flushing out metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid, that accumulate in the muscles during intense exercise. By increasing blood circulation, post-event massage can speed up the removal of these waste products and promote faster recovery. 

 

Reduced muscle soreness: Intense physical activity can often lead to muscle soreness and stiffness. Post-event massage helps alleviate these symptoms by reducing inflammation and releasing muscle tension, allowing athletes to recover more quickly and get back to their training routines. 

 

Relaxation and stress relief: Post-event massage provides a sense of relaxation and aids in stress reduction. 

In an ideal world, you’d have both a pre-event and post-event massage for optimal results. We realise this often isn’t realistic though, so which is best? Well that really depends on who you are and what you’re doing. Consider the below when making your decision: 

 

Timing: Pre-event massage is best performed within 1-2 hours before the event to ensure that the body is adequately prepared. Post-event massage, on the other hand, is typically done within a few hours or up to a day after the event to facilitate recovery. 

 

Personal preferences: Some athletes may find pre-event massage invigorating, while others may prefer post-event massage to aid in recovery and relaxation. It's essential to listen to your body and choose the option that suits you best. 

 

Event intensity: The intensity and duration of the event may influence your decision. For shorter, high-intensity activities, pre-event massage can be more beneficial. Whereas for longer events, post-event massage can help your body to recover from being put under a lot of strain.