When we do sport our muscles get used in a dynamic way which if there is a lack of adequate warm up and stretching before and after can result in an accumulation of injuries that become acute or even worse, chronic.  The way massage works is to move soft tissue or muscle by lengthening and applying strategies to encourage the area to twitch out of tension.  A sports massage is really a plan that includes a long term vision to get the athlete to understand stretching, diet and sufficient hydration.  A sports massage can help an acute injury, help a chronic nagging injury or to help tone up, relax the body to maximise performance and athletic output.  From Kasem, Harrow Massage - Sports &Remedial.  London.  www.harrowmassagetherapy.com