Effect Of Restorative Massage On Regional Blood Flow In Paralympic Athletes

Objective — to evaluate an impact of a restorative massage course, integrated into a training session, on the regional blood circulation in Paralympic athletes. Materials and Methods — Athletes with impaired musculoskeletal system (IMSS), shooters and powerlifters (n=23), were subjected to a course of restorative massage in a special preparatory microcycle of the competitive period. In the main group, massage sessions were included in the training session, whereas in the control group, they were conducted at the end of the training session. The evaluation of peripheral circulation in the upper limbs was performed via vascular blood flow test; and the effectiveness of arterial and venous blood flow, vascular tone and elasticity were assessed. Results — The obtained results for the first time allowed describing the effect of restorative massage on the peripheral circulation of Paralympic athletes. After a course of restorative massage was integrated into a training session, changes in peripheral hemodynamics were noted. We revealed an improvement in arterial blood flow due to an increase in the time of rapid blood filling, a decrease in the tone of medium and small vessels, and a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance (PVR). Arterial and venous blood flow at the level of postcapillaries improved in all segments. The blood flow was effectively redistributed between the distal and proximal segments of the upper limbs. Conclusion — The use of massage sessions in the middle of a training session has a positive effect on the state of peripheral circulation in the proximal upper limbs and the tone of large vessels, whereas the use of massage at the end of a workout has a predominant effect on the tone of small vessels and the state of blood circulation in distal segments of the limbs.