Description
Candidates will learn:
Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy
- Anatomy & physiology required to be able to apply sports massage
- How to carry out a range of assessments
- How to collect information relating to the client’s current condition and status (including the identification of conditions that would be inappropriate for treatment by someone at this level)
- How to distinguish between acute injury and soft tissue dysfunction.
- How to recognise when to defer treatment or when to refer to a more qualified massage or healthcare professional
- How to select appropriate massage techniques for a range of clients
- How to apply sports massage techniques safely and effectively, understanding the potential effects.
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
- The clinical procedures for client assessment and treatment planning
- How to conduct objective physical assessments
- Neuromuscular and soft tissue mobilisation techniques used in sports massage
- How to apply effective neuromuscular and soft tissue mobilisation techniques
- How to utilise soft tissue techniques appropriate to specific clients
- Treat modalities to support soft tissue repair.
Resources
Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy
Manual -Candidates will receive a Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage manual when booking and be asked to read through specific sections below to help with revision.
- Anatomy and physiology for sports massage
- Principles of health and fitness
- Understanding the principles of soft tissue dysfunction
- Professional practice in sports massage
- Sports massage treatments
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
Manual -Candidates will receive a Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage manual when booking and be asked to read through specific sections to prepare for the course.
To bring with you to the course
- 2 x pillows, 2 large towels and two small towels, optional bolsters
- Waterproof pillowcases
- Shorts and a vest top
- Sports Massage manual, notepaper and pen
- Packed lunch, plenty of water and snacks
Delivery
Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy
The Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage course is delivered via Blended learning, there is an element of home study, online face to face delivery and practical days. This course is delivered from 9 am – 5 pm either on a one-to-one basis (tutor and candidate), or as a small group. Where the course is delivered in a one-to-one basis the candidate will need to bring along a client to the practical days.
| Home study prior to the course |
- Anatomy and physiology for sports massage
- Principles of health and fitness
- Understanding the principles of soft tissue dysfunction
- Professional practice in sports massage
- Sports massage treatments
Read through the Anatomy and Physiology section of the course manual. |
|
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 1 |
- Skeletal System; theory & practical learning
- Muscular system; theory & practical learning
- Joints; theory & practical learning
- Lymphatic system; theory
- History of massage
- Effects of massage
- Role of a massage therapist: practical
- Soft tissue dysfunction
- Soft tissue repair
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 2 |
- Subjective assessment: practical
- Client record card, medical history
- Objective assessment
- Posture assessment
- ROM Testing: practical
- Origins & insertions: practical
- Concentric and eccentric muscle contractions: practical
- Palpation: key bony structures
- Practice massage techniques: effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, kneading frictions, vibrations, shaking, & pressures.
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 3 |
- Preparation for sports massage
- Towel management
- Medians
- Contra-actions
- Revise:
- Posture assessment
- ROM testing
- Concentric and eccentric muscle contractions
- Massage techniques
- Devising treatment strategies
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 4 |
- Assessment
- Role play consultation
- Carry out a full client consultation: including subjective and objective assessment
- Pre-event treatment
- Post-event treatment
- Maintenance treatment
- After care advice for pre, post and maintenance treatments.
- Massage contexts and evaluation
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 5 |
- Practice:
- Posture assessment
- ROM testing
- Concentric muscle contractions
- Passive stretching
- Revise:
- Full pre-event treatment
- Full post-event treatment
- Full maintenance treatment
- Feedback
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 6 |
- Mock Assessment Day
- Pre-event treatment
- Post event treatment
- Maintenance treatment
|
| Practical
Delivery
Day 7
And Practical assessment |
- Assessment Day
- Pre-event treatment
- Post event treatment
- Maintenance treatment
|
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
The Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage course is delivered face-to-face at a venue. There is an element of home study before the course. This course is delivered in a small group from 9 am – 5 pm each delivery day.
Below is a brief structure and requirements of the course:
| Revision before the course
|
Candidates will receive an Active IQ course manual when booking. Candidates are required to prepare for the course by revising the below:
- Read through pages 6-18 of your course manual.
- Familiarise yourself with the remainder of the manual.
|
| Day 1 |
Introduction
Ankle, knee, Hip, Pelvis – Lecture and practical workshops
Injury and dysfunction – of all above joints
Practice – palpation of bony landmarks and soft tissues: all above joints
Special tests practical workshop for all above joints |
| Day 2 |
Recap over Day 1
Spine, Shoulder, Elbow, wrist and hand – Lecture and practical workshops
Injury and dysfunction –of all above joints
Practice – palpation of bony landmarks and soft tissues: all above joints
Special tests practical workshop for all above joints |
| Day 3 |
Recap over Day 2
Supporting repair – practical workshop
Client information and treatment planning
Devising sports massage treatments
Provide sports massage techniques to prevent and manage injury
Special tests practical workshop revision |
| Day 4 |
Recap over Day 3
Techniques – practical workshops
Critical evaluation- practical workshop
Summative observation – palpation of bony landmarks and soft tissues
Modular summative observation of techniques
Critical evaluation of each technique |
| Day 5 |
Recap over Day 4
Revision of client assessment: Elbow, wrist, knee, shoulder.
Critical evaluation of treatment of all assessments |
| Day 6 |
Recap over Day 5
Summative assessments – client assessment: Elbow or wrist, knee, shoulder.
Modular summative observation of techniques of above areas
Critical evaluation of treatment/techniques
Feedback |
| Day 7 |
Assessment Day
Summative assessment – spine and hip
Modular summative observation of techniques of above areas
Critical evaluation of treatment/techniques
Feedback |
| Submission date |
Candidates will be given submission dates for each assignment, normally throughout the course. The final assignment is to design an informational resource (eg, Leaflet, web page, article) that must be submitted 2 weeks after Day 6 of the course. |
*The subjects may differ from day to day
Course Dates
Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy
Course Code: MT019
Course Delivery Dates: 6th, 7th, 20th and 21st of March, 10th and 11th of April 2027.
Practical assessment Date: 1st of May 2027
Location: Stirling
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
Course Code: MTL4005
Location: Stirling
Day 1&2: 31st October & 1st November 2026
Day 3&4: 14th & 15th November 2026
Day 5&6: 28th & 29th November 2026
Practical Assessment Date: Sunday 6th of December 2026
Course Code: MTL4006
Location: Aberdeen
Day 1&2: 9th & 10th of January 2027
Day 3&4: 6th & 7th of February 2027
Day 5&6: 6th & 7th of March 2027
Practical Assessment Date: Saturday 20th of March 2027
Assessments
Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy
- Online Multiple-Choice Examination
- Portfolio of Evidence – Worksheets and an assignment
- Three Summative Observations:
- Maintenance massage in a clinical environment
- Pre-event massage in a non-clinical environment
- Post-event massage in a non-clinical environment
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
Throughout the course you will complete practical assessments and be set homework to complete worksheet questions and an assignment. Please see below:
Practical assessments
Palpation – Ankle foot, knee, hip, spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
Client assessment – ankle or knee, hip, spine, shoulder, elbow or wrist
Modular summative observation – techniques on 5 clients
Written assessments
Evaluations of each practical assessment
Worksheet – Conducting subjective and objective assessment
Worksheet – Posture, injuries and dysfunction
Worksheet – Treatment modalities to support soft tissue repair
Assignment – Designing an informal resource ie leaflet on soft tissue
Progression Routes
This qualification provides progression on to further specialist training in sports massage and routes into fitness instructing.
