Certified sports masseur & sports rehabilitation

Whether, when and who may be massaged is strictly regulated by law. And rightly so, as masseurs work directly on the body!

For this reason, the Diploma Sports Masseur training course also explains trade law guidelines so that participants know who they are allowed to practice on after completing the course. The meaning of sports massage and how it differs from other massage practices is explained in detail.

But of course it is not just the legal aspect that is highlighted. Diseases of the skin or acute injuries are also discussed together so that it can be assessed in future whether or not people may be massaged.

This is why the medical history takes up a large part of the course. Our participants learn to recognize complaints and misalignments and, based on this, to assess the correct positioning of the client as well as the application and dosage of massage techniques.

Sports masseur training is a fantastic addition to other sports training and coaching activities, especially, but not only, in the competition sector.

In the massage area of the legs and buttocks, the focus is on prominent bony points, superficial muscle courses and other structures that are important for orientation during a massage treatment or anamnesis. This is where anatomical knowledge of attachment and origin points or regions of muscles becomes essential in sports therapy, which is part of all our training courses.

Especially for sports that almost exclusively require strength and endurance of the lower extremities, such as running, cycling, soccer and long jump, a sports massage of these areas can be of great benefit. Disorders in the foot can also have an effect on the pelvis and spine, which can lead to pain in other parts of the body.

Knowing how to perform massages correctly in this very sensitive area is therefore essential in sports massage.

In the massage area of shoulders and arms, participants of the Diploma Sports Masseur course learn various self-massage techniques. From the hand technique to the finger technique to the pressure-movement technique, various techniques are presented. These not only have various applications, but also delay hand fatigue, allowing for a longer massage.

Massage using massage balls, massage fairies and fascia rolls is also an important part of the training.

Finally, implementation in specific sports is discussed. Using the case study of a golfer, a handball player and a tennis player, massage techniques after training or competition and common injuries are analyzed.

Functional taping is intended to relieve pain and support the muscles in the event of injuries. Kinesio taping is a special type of taping that promotes blood circulation and strengthens the muscles. Both types of taping can be used for many different sports.

The application is then very practice-oriented. From measuring to placing the bandage, participants learn all the important intermediate steps.

The trainers also learn how to apply ankle bandages, support bandages, relief bandages and much more. They also learn how to apply kinesiotape to specific muscles. Among other things, this helps with changes in tone, muscle control and the elimination of circulation restrictions.

In this part of the sports masseur course, participants learn how to prevent injuries through warm-up exercises and injury prevention.

Participants are given an overview of possible sports injuries to muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. The 18 most common sports injuries are also used to explain the symptoms, treatment and return to training.

Initial treatment using the PECH scheme rounds off this training subject: The PECH scheme teaches participants how to react correctly in an emergency. After all, quick and competent action is crucial in an emergency situation.

In the abdominal/chest massage subject of the sports masseur training course, both self-massage and functional massage are explained in more detail. The techniques taught are particularly valuable in the sports areas of climbing, boxing and weight training, as sporting activities are often associated with tension in this area.

Massages in the chest area also support the activation and strengthening of the auxiliary respiratory muscles.

The colon massage according to VOGLER and KRAUSS is also covered in this subject. This technique is a manual, anal pressure and gliding movement on the colon, which is performed at five anatomically defined points on the abdomen. It is used to create a balanced, normal muscle tone in the abdomen with an effect on the circulation and the autonomic nervous system.

As with all our training courses, whether distance learning, face-to-face courses or One2One lessons, it is important to us that what we learn is carried out safely. We therefore naturally also discuss in which cases the massage techniques should be modified or not performed at all.

Kinesiology and Biomechanics are two essential areas in the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer Certification, focusing on the analysis of human movement.

Kinesiology deals with the analysis of movement itself, while biomechanics examines the anatomy and physiology of movement. It can help improve performance, prevent injuries, and support rehabilitation after injuries. It can also aid in understanding the causes of musculoskeletal complaints and injuries.

In this course, the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology are linked to the demands of modern training. The lecture is divided into several parts, with the general kinesiology being initially addressed. Special emphasis is placed on the analysis of movement patterns. This multipart lecture serves a deeper understanding of how the human body functions. Movements are broken down into their components to analyze them thoroughly and make statements about the forces at work.

Our Professional Health Fitness & Personal Trainers can analyze and measure movements, understand the psychological and physical factors affecting peak performance, and independently determine the requirements of different sports.

Furthermore, everyday and sports-related movements and their affecting forces are examined, shedding light on the effects of incorrect posture/technique on the body.

To experience all this firsthand, videos of one's own technique are filmed and analyzed using various fitness apps. Kinesiology and biomechanics are two essential areas in the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer Certification when it comes to analyzing human movement.

In the Functional Movement Analysis course unit, the focus is on the quality of everyday movements in old age. Participants learn to recognize and systematically analyse typical movement and posture patterns of older people, such as reduced arm swing, balance weaknesses or gait instability.

In addition to practical observation, they will learn how to safely carry out and evaluate functional tests such as the "chair-rise test" or the "timed-up-and-go test". From this, targeted training measures can be derived to improve mobility, strength and coordination in everyday life.

Particular attention is paid to formulating individual training goals from real everyday movements such as getting up from a chair, walking or reaching for objects and creating a mini-training plan based on these observations. This practice-oriented unit creates the basis for effective and needs-oriented training planning for older people.

At the beginning of the session, a recap of what stress is and its significance for the body is provided. Various types of stress, their causes, and the effects of stress are discussed, with detailed focus on stress management.

Relaxation techniques are an important complement to training and can help calm the body and mind, reducing stress. Therefore, they expand the repertoire of a holistic coaching trainer. There are many different relaxation techniques that people can use to relax and improve their physical and mental health.

One of the most well-known relaxation techniques covered in the course is progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson. In this method, individual muscle groups in the body are consciously tensed and then relaxed. This technique helps to release muscle tension and relax the body. Another popular relaxation technique is autogenic training. This method helps calm the mind and reduce stress through breathing techniques and communication with the subconscious. The mind and body are closely interconnected—if one is under too much tension, the other suffers!

By regularly integrating relaxation techniques into training, it can help bring the body and mind into balance and reduce stress.

Functional Training refers to an approach to strength training that incorporates multiple muscle groups, movement patterns that reflect real human movement in the real world and place a high value on core musculature involvement in training exercises.
Multiple muscles are trainined at once, usually with a focus on entire muscle chains, in order to improve coordination between muscle groups alongside strength. Creating more stable and economical movement patterns that use the entire range of motion and strengthen the core are major goals.

Functional Strength Training is especially important because we want our clients and athletes to be able to use acquired strength for everyday movements and activity, or for the complex movement patterns necessary for any sport. This type of training is also appropriate for any age group and has applications in almost every type of sport, leisure activity, rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Some functional training methods utilize balance-challenging techniques and tools, small equipment that requires more core involvement for traditional movements, like medicine balls, sandbags and aquabags, or simply rely on bodyweight exercises.

In this course subject participants will learn about various training tools such as sling/TRX, gymnastics/balance ball, medicine and slam balls, sandbags, heavy/battle ropes and more. Bodyweight exercises are also a foundation of functional training, as certain bodyweight exercises can be used to expose functional weakness in even very "well-trained" athletes, and in order to build these abilities from the ground up. Muscle chains and some exercises which can be used to focus on specific ones are introduced.

The human body is a complex system of muscles, tendons, joints and bones that is constantly in motion. Every movement we make triggers a reaction that affects other areas of the body.

Sensorimotor training is a method that trains precisely these reaction chains in the body. Targeted training of the senses (e.g. sense of balance, touch, sight and hearing) and motor skills (muscle strength, coordination, mobility) improves the interaction between body and mind.

What is sensorimotor training?
Sensorimotor training is a method that originates from the field of physiotherapy. Sensorimotor regulation is the brain's ability to control motor skills and perception. Sensorimotor training can optimize movement sequences and improve motor skills. It is used in physiotherapy for neurological disorders, such as after a stroke.

However, sensorimotor training can also be used in competitive sport and fitness to improve motor skills.

This content is therefore developed in the sensorimotor training course for fitness trainers, in which participants perform practice-oriented strengthening exercises using unstable surfaces such as wobble boards, foam, exercise balls, ropes or slings and much more.

The unstable surfaces train proprioception, i.e. the perception of one's own body and its movements. The exercises challenge balance, coordination and strength and are therefore particularly effective.

This subject teaches the basic concepts of trigger point massage. Participants will learn the definition and history of trigger points, including the origin and development of the concept and the contributions of key individuals.

The physiological basis and functioning of trigger points will be covered in detail. This includes muscle anatomy and physiology as well as the neurological aspects and pain transmission.

An important part of this subject is the differentiation between the various types of trigger points. It explains what active and latent trigger points are and how primary trigger points differ from secondary trigger points.

In addition, the symptoms and the effects of trigger points on the human body are explained. This includes the various pain symptoms and patterns as well as the effects on the musculoskeletal system and general well-being.

This subject deals with the methods for diagnosing and assessing trigger points. Participants will learn various techniques for identifying trigger points, including palpation techniques and the use of anatomical landmarks.

Another important component is questioning and taking a medical history. This involves taking a detailed patient history, supplemented by the use of questionnaires and standardized assessment tools.

This subject teaches the various trigger point massage techniques that are essential for the effective treatment of trigger points. Participants learn direct pressure techniques that focus on the application of constant and intermittent pressure and the combination with other manual techniques.

Stroking and stretching techniques are also covered. These techniques are integrated into a comprehensive massage protocol and include both dynamic and static stretching.

Another important part of this subject is the use of aids such as balls and rollers. The selection of suitable aids is explained as required and supplemented by practical demonstrations and exercises.

Finally, self-massage techniques for clients are taught. Participants will learn how to instruct clients in self-treatment and receive safety and application advice to ensure safe and effective self-massage.

This subject provides participants with a wide range of techniques to effectively treat trigger points and assist clients in self-care.

This subject focuses on practical exercises and the analysis of case studies. Participants put the techniques they have learned into practice in group exercises and partner work. The practical application of the techniques is practiced in the group and there is partner work for mutual feedback.

The analysis of case studies is another essential component. Real case studies are presented and discussed, with a focus on diagnosis and treatment planning.

Particular emphasis is placed on practical application to different muscle groups. Specific techniques are taught for commonly affected muscle groups such as the neck, back and shoulders.

There are also individual treatments and supervision. Participants work individually under the supervision of an experienced therapist and develop and implement a treatment plan.

Finally, the exercises are rounded off with reflection and feedback. There is an exchange of experiences and insights, and the techniques are adapted and optimized.