What are the criteria for inclusion in the study?

The study must have been one of the following: randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, single-case design, non-randomized historical cohort comparisons, case series, or case report.
The report must have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The sports massage protocol described in the report must have included at least one or more of the following techniques: effleurage, petrissage, or deep transverse friction massage.
The purpose of the massage intervention must have been to impact one or more of the following facets of athletics: pre-event (warm-up and psychological preparation), sports performance, recovery from exercise and competition, or treatment of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries.