Elective Course

Sports Massage

Sports Massage introduces techniques for pre-event, post-event, conditioning, and rehabilitation support. Students learn stretch progressions, timing strategies, and protocol adjustments for common athlete-specific injuries.

25 Total Hours 3.5 lecture hours and 21.5 lab hours
Prerequisite Level I Foundational Courses plus a high school diploma or GED
Textbook No textbook required

What Students Build

Athlete Support
Event Timing
Stretch Progressions
Injury-Aware Planning

Overview

Course Description

A bodywork and techniques elective focused on athlete support, event timing, and safe adaptation for performance and recovery goals.

What You Learn

Core Areas of Study

  • Pre- and Post-Event Strategy Use timing-specific massage approaches that support performance, preparation, and recovery.
  • Conditioning Techniques Apply sport-focused tissue preparation and maintenance strategies for active clients.
  • Stretch Progressions Practice progressive stretching concepts suitable to athlete needs, training phases, and goals.
  • Injury-Aware Adaptation Modify protocols for common sport injuries while maintaining safe scope and sound decision-making.
Sports Massage supports athlete-focused planning, practical timing strategies, and safe adaptation within the AFSM elective curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

Course Outcomes

Students strengthen practical decision-making and applied course competency through guided theory and hands-on practice.

By the End of This Course

  • Apply pre-event and post-event sports massage strategies safely and appropriately.
  • Integrate conditioning techniques and stretch progressions into athlete-focused sessions.
  • Adapt protocols for common sport injuries while maintaining safe scope and clinical judgment.

Hours Overview

Lab training makes up most of the course, with lecture supporting planning, timing, and athlete-specific decision-making.

TypeHoursPercent
Lecture3.514%
Lab21.586%

Evaluation

Grading Summary

Student progress is measured across course activities, labs, and final assessment work.

Graded Items
Value
Quizzes
30%
Labs
50%
Projects
20%
Total
100%

Explore

A few related courses in the elective curriculum.

Resources

Helpful References

A few public resources related to the course topic.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A few quick answers about the course.

Who is this class for?
Students who want practical, sport-focused bodywork skills to support performance, recovery, and return-to-play goals.
What skills will I practice?
Event timing strategies, tissue preparation, stretch progressions, and injury-aware session planning for athletes.

Course Planning Note

Sports Massage supports athlete-focused planning, practical timing strategies, and safe adaptation within the AFSM elective curriculum.