"Massage therapy and exercise therapy can be used to treat minor injuries to the limbs for recovery for sportsmen in preparing a fit physical condition in preparation for training, competing and after competing," said Professor of Sports Injury Therapy and Rehabilitation at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences UNY, Prof. Dr. Ali Satia Graha, M.Kes Monday (8/4).

"Injury is a problem that can occur in various parts of the human body, including bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries are often identified through symptoms of inflammation that appear in the area affected by the injury. Inflammatory signs are one of the natural responses that arise to protect the injured area," said Prof. Ali Satia Graha.

"Many non-athletes suffer injuries before doing sports and do not get treatment and recovery but continue to do sports. It has been found that non-athletes who experience injuries are caused by static body activities for a long time in sitting, standing, and squatting positions resulting in musculoskeletal disorders characterized by inflammation. The results of other studies on non-athletes, such as workers in front of the screen who do sports activities have experienced injuries in advance due to non-ergonomics in daily activities. The injuries that arise include pelvic, waist, shoulder, and neck injuries, so that when doing sports the condition of the injury is getting worse," said Prof. Ali Satia Graha.

"Massage therapy is an art and skill of body manipulation that has been used for hundreds of years as a method to help reduce inflammation, relaxation in muscles, ligaments, and joint motion disorders. Massage therapy falls into the category of non-pharmacological treatment which has various benefits, and is generally recognized as a safe therapeutic modality, has no major risks or side effects, low cost, and easy treatment," said Prof. Ali Satia Graha.

Therapeutic techniques for post-injury recovery of the knee can be carried out by giving splinting to the joint and adding soft tissue massage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the knee joint. This recovery technique is very effective in increasing the flexibility and strength of the knee joints.

Rehabilitation treatment in sports injuries follows the 8 basic principles of sports medicine from a physical point of view including inflammation control, pain control, restoration of joint range of motion and soft tissue extensibility, restoration of muscle strength, restoration of muscle endurance including reducing loads, biomechanical exercises on limbs, maintenance of cardiovascular fitness, and development of exercise programs.

"Exercise therapy, aims to improve body balance, muscle and joint stabilization, muscle strength, and increased joint motion," said Prof. Ali Satia Graha.

The exercise program given for ankle injury cases can start with light, medium to heavy exercise. Supported by the results of other studies, more than 80% of soccer athletes who have mild ankle joint injuries are given light plyometric exercises for a period of 4-8 weeks before returning to the field to participate in training and matches. Exercise therapy as part of rehabilitation plays a role in helping limb injury recovery. (Author: Dedy, Editor: Sudaryono, Tj.lak)