Delayed onset muscle soreness and the effects of massage is something that has been well studied, with benefits demonstrated in the majority of studies. One study looked at the effect of a massage to elbow flexor and extensor muscles 2 hours post exercise. They found there was a significant reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness as well as a reduction in creatine kinase levels. Another study where massage was performed 2 hours post exercise found that the intensity of muscle soreness was significantly reduced after massage, although this was not found to improve muscle function. Neither of these studies were able to put a percentage on the reduction, but other studies showed a 30% reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness as well as a reduction in swelling after massage treatment 3 hours after exercise. DM to find out more.
So you want 2024 to be your year, you want to do better, maybe get that clear round, or personal best time, or maybe just get onto the start line with your horse or dog fit and ready to give it your best shot. Well here are 4 things that might help you make 2024 your best yet. 1️⃣ Reflect - you know you want this year to be better, but before you can make changes you need to reflect on last year, what was good, what went well, and what didn’t, to allow you to make the right changes. 2️⃣ Goals - what do you want to achieve this year? Goals should be specific and achievable, it’s fine to have an overarching big goal, but this can be overwhelming without smaller goals leading up to that. 3️⃣ Preparation - preparation is key, in order to improve you may need to look at all areas of your prep be it training, fitness and conditioning work, mental prep, planning your shows with you end goals in mind. Minor changes to these things can make a big difference. These marginal gains may be the difference between winning and losing . 4️⃣ Leave it all on the line - when you get to the show remember - you’ve already done all the hard work, now is when you get to show everyone how great you both are, enjoy it!
7 Tips to stay safe hacking this winter. 1️⃣ Always wear High Vis, preferably on both you and your horse. At this time of year the low sun or bad weather can make it much harder to be seen, but even in good conditions high vis allows you to be seen by drivers much quicker. A hat band and tabard are great for height, while the movement of high vis leg boots catch the eye. Should the worst happen and you have an accident, you and your horse will be easier to find. 2️⃣ Consider the time of day you are going out, as well as the weather conditions on the day. Frost can make the roads slippy earlier in the day, and bad weather conditions can make it dark much earlier than you expect. Consider your route, try to avoid busty periods if you can, and make sure you will get back before it gets dark. 3️⃣ Stick to familiar routes as much as possible. This allows you to pick the routes with the best ground conditions, avoiding any excessively muddy or flooded tracks or any unexpected hazards. Familiar routes also make it easier to judge how long the ride might take, so you don’t risk getting caught out in the dark. 4️⃣ Dress warmly, your hands can get cold quickly so a good pair of gloves is essential, this will also help with grip on wet reins. Good socks and a decent pair of boots you can walk in are also a good idea. You should also consider if your horse needs an exercise sheet, either for warmth or protection from the rain. 5️⃣ Always allow longer to properly warm up your horse. In colder weather it takes longer for the muscles to warm up, especially if your horse is spending more time in the stable at this time of year. Warming up fully before faster work is important to prevent injury and a good cool down allows the horse to be dry before rugs are put back on. 6️⃣ Try to avoid riding in snow and ice if possible, but if needed try to stay on the verge and grass as much as posssible, and avoid doing fast work on frozen ground. If you are g
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Thrilled to announce I’m the newest sponsor of TimeFlyZ FLYBALL TEAM
Massage can form an invaluable part of an athletes routine, with regular massage helping to promote peak performance by reducing muscle tension,increasing flexibility and range of motion, improve proprioception, reduce stress, aid relaxation.
The team came for their assessments and introductory sessions last week, before heading out to compete at the weekend where they broke their club record with an amazing new time of 14.95s!
