Stress & it's impact on your performance

Whilst a little bit of stress/anxiety keeps us going forward, too much can have profound effects on the body.  Stress is a little complicated.  There are physiological and psychological factors which can be affected by an individual's personality traits.  When we are exposed to stress in the short term, the body can recuperate relatively quickly.  The small amount of damage created can be repaired fairly rapidly.  Long term stress has a more profound effect, as the body does not get the chance to recover and neutralise the effects.

 

Possible effects of stress on an athlete:

• Increased muscle tension

• Strenuous exercise may result in strains to your tense muscles

• Spasm and pain in muscles that cannot tense and relax effectively

• Headaches

• Jaw ache

• Knots in the upper back/shoulders

• Inflammation of tendons because of pressure created by tight ungiving muscle (tendinitis)

• Deterioration in muscle strength

• Deterioration in health

• Deterioration in conditioning

• Cramps/spasms due to muscles being pushed beyond physical limits

• Overactive nervous system which compromises ability to rest

• Inability to sleep and recharge

• Appetite changes

• Release of cholesterol in to the blood stream

• Elevated blood pressure and heart rate

• Chest pain

• Poor breathing

• Greater predisposition to injuries in general

 

Stress and athletic performance

 

Exercise does counteract the effects of stress.  However, when stress levels are high over a prolonged period of time, extra measures need to be taken.  Individuals need to find what works for them.  It is important to bring balance in to one's life.  There should be time to relax, do the things that you enjoy doing, look after your body, eat nutritious foods, get the rest you need, get enough good quality sleep, fulfil your spiritual and emotional needs and to get help when necessary.  You may even need to make lifestyle changes.

 

Look after yourself - it's YOUR duty to do so.  Remember that if you want to push your body to extremes then you need to set up the correct internal and external environment for the magic to happen.

 

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It's bye for now from me, your dedicated Sports Massage Therapist

 

The Cyprus Cycle Show 2012

On Saturday 5th May, was the 2nd Cyprus Cycle Show and I was privileged enough be part of  through the show!   Limassol Sports Massage shared a stand with the Limassol Running Club and gave the exhibition visitors a taste of what Sports Massage is.  I took my massage chair, a comfy mat and plenty of bolsters along.  Although, as part of my more basic massage training, I have been taught a seated chair massage routine, I worked in a free form Sports Massage manner in order to focus on areas of muscular tightness and tension.  I worked without lubricants, as is possible for sports massage, and when using the seated massage chair. 

 

Sports based massage using a massage chair

 

I gave about 21 massages throughout the day, along with advice for alleviating muscular dysfunction and easing pain.  Most of my visitors were obviously Cyclists.  Their reasons for a visit varied and included tenderness in the posterior neck muscles, tightness in the shoulder muscles, knots in the mid-shoulder blade muscles, hypertonicity in the back extensor muscles and lower back stiffness.  I took the mat so that I could get to work on tight hip flexor muscles and demonstrate relevant stretches.  The results were phenomenal, with all clients reporting much improvement if not complete cessation of symptoms.  I love my work!

 

I worked in the direct sunshine for most of the day and was careful to protect my eyes with 100 UV protection sunglasses and my exposed skin with factor 30 sunscreen.  I kept well hydrated and as it was so hot, I kept my electrolytes well topped up (thanks to Micromania who had brought the new Grapefruit flavour HIGH5 to the show!)

 

I'm looking forward to the Cyprus Cycle Show 2013 - it's going to be even bigger!

 

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That's all from me for now.  Goodbye from your dedicated Sports Massage Therapist!