Sports Massage online course

Prerequisites for starting studies

There are no prerequisites for participating in the Sports Massage online course. However, it is strongly recommended that you have previously completed at least a Classical Massage (online) course or a similar Western massage (e.g. Cupping Massage or Situational Massage) (online) course. Previous knowledge of massage will facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge.

Volume, duration and structure of the online course

The volume of the Sports Massage online course is 30 academic hours, of which 30 academic hours are independent learning (including e-learning). One academic hour is equal to 45 minutes. 

The Sports Massage online course can be accessed for two years after enrolment. You can complete the online course at your own time and pace, as the online course is based on recorded video lectures.

The Sports Massage online course consists of three main modules. 

Module I: Basic movements of the human body and skeletal muscles

Almost all areas that affect the human skeletal muscles need to be aware of the basic movements of the human body. Knowing these is very important because the better we know a particular movement, the better we can understand which skeletal muscles are under more or less tension. Based on this, a Sports Massage session can be better structured and adapted to the client's specific sports discipline. Therefore, learning the basic movements of the human body is part of the Sports Massage online course. 

Module II: The ABC of Sports Training

It is also essential to know the basics of the sports training. This will give you a better idea of which skeletal muscles to focus on during different periods. 

Module III: analysis of different sport disciplines in the context of sports massage

Once the content of the first two modules has been studied, the third module will analyse different sports; it will also highlight which areas of the body and which skeletal muscles could be most effectively stimulated through sports massage.

In the future, you will find the detailed structure of the Sports Massage online course here. 

Curriculum learning outcomes and documents to be issued

The Sports Massage online course assesses the achievement of learning outcomes. To achieve the learning outcomes, you must successfully complete multiple-choice tests, various written tasks (answering short questions, etc.), a final test, and a written assessment. A certificate will be issued upon achievement of the learning outcomes. If not all the learning outcomes are achieved, a notice will be issued. The notice is issued on condition that at least 70% of the online course has been completed. 

A notice and a certificate can be sent free of charge within Estonia; sending abroad is subject to agreement. We can also issue an electronic certificate on request. 

Learning outcomes  

Successful completion of the online course means that the participant has achieved the following learning outcomes:

1. knows the basic movements of the human body at a basic level;
2. knows the major skeletal muscles and their functions;
3. understands the importance of knowing the functions of skeletal muscles and their application in sports massage;
4. is familiar with the specifics of different conventional sports in the context of sports massage;
5. has a basic understanding of how training is periodised;
6. is able to analyse a freely chosen sport in the context of sports massage. 

Topics of the Sports Massage online course

The Sports Massage online course includes the following topics: 

1. distinguishing sports massage from other types of massage;
2. the extent of application of relaxing and invigorating massage techniques;
3. the pace, intensity, duration, etc. of the massage;
4. pre-event, mid-event, post-event (sports) massage;
5. pre-workout vs post-workout massage;
6. skeletal muscle system from the perspective of skeletal muscle functions;
7. stamina training, endurance training, flexibility training, speed training, etc; 
8. the logic of derivation of stretching movements; 
9. periodisation of training sessions, training hours, etc;
10. understanding the specific characteristics of different sports in the context of sports massage; 
11. application of massage techniques used in sports massage in the areas of the back, neck, shoulder girdle, upper arm, forearm, hand, pelvic girdle, thigh, leg, and shin.