title: A Standardized, Evidence-Based Massage Therapy Program for Decentralized Elite Paracyclists: Creating the Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence suggests that para-athletes are injured more often than able-bodied athletes. The benefits of massage therapy for these disabled athletes are yet to be explored. This paper documents the process followed for creating a massage program for elite paracycling athletes with the goal to assess effects on recovery, rest, performance, and quality of life both on and off the bike.
  
  
  METHODS
  Massage therapists' private practices throughout the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A United States Paracycling team consisting of 9 elite athletes: 2 spinal cord injury, 2 lower limb amputation, 1 upper limb amputation, 1 transverse myelitis, 1 stroke, 1 traumatic brain injury, and 1 visually impaired.
  
  
  METHODS
  The process used to develop a massage therapy program for para-cyclists included meetings with athletes, coaching staff, team exercise physiologist, and sports massage therapists; peer-reviewed literature was also consulted to address specific health conditions of para-athletes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Team leadership and athletes identified needs for quicker recovery, better rest, and improved performance in elite paracyclists. This information was used to generate a conceptual model for massage protocols, and led to creation of the intake and exit questionnaires to assess patient health status and recovery. Forms also were created for a general health intake, therapist information, and a therapist's SOAAP notes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conceptual model and questionnaires developed herein will help to operationalize an exploratory study investigating the feasibility of implementing a standardized massage therapy program for a decentralized elite paracycling team.
authors.affiliation: Arnold School of Public Health/Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Ann B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Greenville, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Trilk
keywords: athletics; disability; evidence-based; massage; quality of life