Athletes who seek to improve performance and increase their competitive edge do so by adopting a training schedule to enhance their skill, strength, stamina, suppleness and speed. No matter which sport, the aim is nearly always to increase the level of training and thereby subject the body to gradual and controlled overuse. It is this overuse that may often create problems and imbalances in the soft tissue. If ignored it could result in a chronic problem that could impede performance or lead to injury.

Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of different techniques and strokes may be used.
A few of the main ones are:

• Effleurage, to warm the tissue and increase blood flow
• Petrissage, for mobilizing fluids, stretching muscle fibres, and inducing relaxation
• Friction, for breaking down lesions, separating muscle fibers, and even breaking down recent scar tissue.
• Trigger point, to reduce the hypersensitivity, muscle spasms and referred pain patterns that characterize the point.

Sports massage can also include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance and reduce recovery time.

Sports massage should play an important part in the life of any athlete whether they are injured or not. It's main purpose is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body's soft tissue during physical activity. Therefore, it makes sense that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping to prevent injury.