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|  RUNOHIO's Book Review Elaine Binkley February 2007 RunOhio
Poley begins by providing a clear outline of the many benefits
of massage and its history. He points not only to anecdotal
evidence (interestingly, the author is an attorney and
triathlete who discovered the benefits of massage while
training for the Ironman), but also does a nice job citing a
large body of scientific literature demonstrating the positive
effects that have been associated with massage. Some of the
benefits he describes include a reduction in stress and
anxiety, improved sleep, relief from depression, decreased
incidence of illness, and increased endorphin release. In
addition, the book provides specific information concerning
sports massage and how massage can specifically be applied to
athletes to achieve benefits such as an increased range of
motion, reduced soreness and injury, and an increased recovery
rate following workouts. Poley points out that self-massage,
in particular, is an excellent strategy to be used to achieve
these benefits as it can be used immediately before and after
workouts and since it can be performed more frequently than
could a professional massage. Following a brief introduction to muscles in general, the book
proceeds to present clear and concise instructions describing
how to perform seven basic massage strokes. This section does
an excellent job not only presenting clear written instructions
for performing these strokes, but also including photographs
that effectively illustrate how they should be performed.
Unlike some books that present confusing diagrams attempting to
explain how to perform stretches or massage strokes, this book
does a great job showing how each should be performed and
moving through each stroke sequentially such that the reader is
not overwhelmed. After the introduction of these basic
strokes, Poley presents a more detailed description of how each
of these can be applied to different muscles groups and gives a
basic introduction to acupressure and trigger points. The book concludes by offering guidelines for when massage
should and should not be used, as well as giving advice for
coaches and personal trainers wanting to implement self-massage
into their athletes' training regimens. This book provides an
extremely useful and straight-forward approach to massage. It
is able to provide the reader with the tools necessary to
effectively use self-massage to prevent injury and muscle
soreness as well as to promote general well being. Since most
runners will face injury or muscle soreness at some point in
their careers, the information presented in this book is ideal
for any runner regardless of their competitive background. Editor note: Elaine Binkley is senior at Denison
University where she has earned NCAA Division III All American
honors twice in cross-country. She has been named to the ESPN
The Magazine Academic All- America(R) Women's Track &
Field/Cross Country first team as selected by the College
Sports Information Directors of America in 2005 and 2006.
Elaine also earned All State honors in Cross Country and Track
at Bishop Watterson High School.
The RUNOHIO's Book Review - A Closer Look at -
explores various running books and is a regular column in
RUNOHIO. - To have your book considered for reviewed, please
send a copy to: Matt McGowan, c/ o RUNOHIO, 330 Spellman
Street, Granville, OH 43023
Check out these other RUNOHIO Book Reviews:
A Closer Look at - Why Run if No One is Chasing You?
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