The treatment method may need to change depending on whether it is before a competition, after a competition, before training, after training, and also depending on each athlete’s physical condition and reaction after treatment.
For example, if strong manual therapy, electrical stimulation, or acupuncture treatment is performed before a competition, the athlete may feel weakness or reduced muscle activation the next day. This can negatively affect performance, reduce power output, and increase the risk of injury.
Particular caution is needed around the knees, ankles, and lower back. If the muscles around these areas are relaxed too much, joint stability can decrease, causing pain when impact or heavy load is applied. In some cases, this may also increase the risk of ligament or tendon injuries.
In sports such as soccer, injuries to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) are common. These injuries often occur when the knee is bent and another player collides with the athlete. The knee joint is naturally more stable when fully extended. However, during sports activities, athletes rarely play with the knee fully straight. Most movements are performed with the knee in a bent position, which is mechanically less stable.
Because the knee becomes less stable when bent, the surrounding muscles must support and stabilize the joint. Athletes normally use muscular strength to protect these joints. However, if the muscles are over-relaxed through treatment or massage, muscle strength and stability may temporarily decrease. As a result, the joint loses support and becomes more vulnerable to injury.
For this reason, athlete treatment should not focus only on relaxing muscles. It is important to understand the athlete’s schedule, upcoming training sessions, and competition timing in order to determine the most appropriate treatment approach and timing.
In addition, after treatment, it is often beneficial to reactivate the muscles before finishing the session. This can help reduce the risk of injury and restore joint stability. Muscle reactivation may include exercise therapy, muscle activation training, EMS, or other devices designed to stimulate and activate muscles.
By restoring muscle activation and stability after treatment, athletes can regain proper joint support and reduce the risk of future injuries.
