A sports massage focuses on enhancing circulation, increasing tissue elasticity, and reducing muscle tension. Sports massage is also used to help relieve tight muscles. Muscle tightness can limit flexibility, increase pain and cause future injuries. Sports massage helps release muscle tightness. A sports massage helps increase blood flow through tight muscles, break down inflexible tissues, and stretch out muscle fibers. Using a sports massage regularly to relieve tight muscles can help reduce the chance of injury and maximize performance. A study in 2010 in America found athletes who had massages before and after strength training saw a definite decrease in soreness after activity.