Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy (sample manual)

Manual 

Level 3 Diploma in 

Sports Massage 

Therapy 

Version AIQ005541

Section 1: The structural organisation of the human body 

Although cells can have very different functions, their structures are similar. Each cell is surrounded by a cell membrane 

which contains the cytoplasm and organelles. Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance which fills the cell and helps it to 

maintain its shape. Cytoplasm is approximately 90% water, and the rest is made up of amino acids, sugars and other 

functionally useful substances. 

Organelles 

The word ‘organelle’ essentially means ‘little organ’. These are specialised parts of a cell which have a specific function 

or role. The types of organelles contained in cells can differ depending on the requirements of the cell, although some 

organelles are common to all animal (including human) cells. Table 1.1 details the structures and functions of these 

common animal organelles. 

Endoplasmic reticulum 

Nucleus 

Golgi complex 

Cell membrane 

Ribosomes 

Mitochondria 

Lysosomes 

Figure 1.2 Organelles of an animal cell 

ORGANELLE STRUCTURE FUNCTION 

Nucleus 

A membrane-bound structure containing 

chromosomes which in turn contain 

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA 

provides genetic information. 

The nucleus regulates all cell activity and 

provides the correct amino acid template 

for the production of proteins. 

Ribosomes 

Tiny granular structures made of 

RNA (ribonucleic acid) and proteins. 

Some ribosomes are attached to the 

endoplasmic reticulum and some float 

freely in the cytoplasm. 

Ribosomes interpret the templates from 

the nucleus and synthesise appropriate 

proteins as directed. 

6 | Copyright © 2019 Active IQ Ltd. Not for resale

Section 3: The skeletal system 

The spine 

The spine is formed from 33 irregular bones. Each region of the spine has a different number of bones and the bones 

are shaped differently (see table 3.1 and figure 3.2). 

7 Cervical 

(secondary 

curve) 

7 

Cervical vertebrae. 

12 Thoracic 

(primary 

curve) 

12 

Thoracic vertebrae. 

5 Lumbar 

(secondary 

curve) 

5 

Lumbar vertebrae. 

5 Sacral 

(fused) 

4 Coccygeal 

(fused) 

5 

4 

Sacral vertebrae (fused). 

Coccygeal vertebrae (fused). 

Figure 3.2 The regions of the spine 

The functions of the skeletal system 

The skeletal system performs a range of functions. The complete skeletal framework gives the body its shape and the 

large bones protect the vital organs. The bones meet at various junctions to form the joints, which enable the body 

to move in different ways. The muscles attach to the bones and create the force needed to make movement happen. 

Inside the bones, red and white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Essential minerals, including calcium, 

are stored in the bone. 

FUNCTION 

Shape 

Protection 

Locomotion 

DESCRIPTION 

The skeletal bones provide the framework that gives the body its basic shape. Basic body 

types include: 

• Ectomorph – a tall, lean body frame with long levers. 

• Endomorph – a short, more rounded frame with shorter levers. 

• Mesomorph – an athletic frame with broad shoulders and narrow hips. 

NB: Muscle and body fat are also distributed differently. 

Different bones protect different organs: 

• The skull protects the brain. The rib cage and sternum protect the lungs and heart. 

• The vertebral column protects the spinal cord. The pelvic girdle protects the internal 

reproductive organs. 

The long bones act as levers that muscles pull on to create movement at a joint. 

NB: Initiation of movement is the role of the nervous system. 

Copyright © 2019 Active IQ Ltd. Not for resale | 15

Section 4: Joints 

Elbow movements 

Hip movements 

Flexion Extension 

Pronation Supination 

Extension Flexion 

Abduction Adduction 

External rotation Internal rotation 

Circumduction Flexion 

Knee movements 

Ankle movements 

Flexion Extension Eversion Inversion 

Dorsiflexion Plantarflexion 

Figure 4.2 Joint actions at the major synovial joints 


Section 6: The nervous system 

The central nervous system (CNS) 

The central nervous system is the control base for the whole nervous system. It consists of the brain (see figure 6.3) and 

the spinal cord which are surrounded by three membranes called meninges. A clear watery fluid called cerebrospinal 

fluid is found between these membranes; its role is to protect, cushion and help to maintain the homeostasis of the 

CNS. 

The brain 

The brain is made up of four main parts: 

Cerebrum 

• Cerebrum. 

• Cerebellum. 

• Diencephalon. 

• Brain stem. 

The cerebrum 

The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum, 

is divided into two hemispheres. The 

cerebrum is responsible for mental 

activities, sensory perception (including 

pain, touch, temperature, sight, taste, 

smell and hearing) and control and 

initiation of voluntary muscle contraction. 

Thalamus 

The cerebellum 

The cerebellum is smaller and located 

below the cerebrum, but it is also divided 

into two hemispheres. The cerebellum 

acts as a memory bank for all learnt skills 

and is mainly responsible for coordinated 

voluntary movement which involves 

effective proprioception, posture and 

balance. 

Hypothalamus 

Brain stem 

Spinal cord 

Cerebellum 

Figure 6.3 The brain 

Diencephalon 

Found between the midbrain and the cerebellum, the diencephalon contains the thalamus, the hypothalamus and the 

pineal gland. 

The thalamus passes motor and sensory information from the cerebellum to the cerebrum for analysis. It also helps to 

associate certain sensory impulses with positive or negative feelings. 

Together, the thalamus and hypothalamus initiate the movements involved in expressing reactive emotions such as fear 

or anger. 

The hypothalamus forms the link between the nervous and endocrine systems. It governs the endocrine system by 

controlling gland secretion and homeostasis maintenance. It also relays information from the brain to the autonomic 

tissues, organs and systems of the body, including fluid balance and temperature regulation. 

The pineal gland is also an endocrine gland, and is essential for controlling sleep cycles and body rhythms. 

The brain stem 

The brain stem links the brain to the spinal cord; it is made up of the midbrain, the pons and the medulla. The midbrain 

is the highest of the three brain stem components and its role is to control certain eye movements as well as integrate 

messages about posture and tone (reflex and involuntary actions). The pons lies in the centre of the brain stem and 

controls facial expressions, eye movements, chewing and breathing, as well as forming a link between other parts of 

the brain. The medulla lies at the top of the spinal cord and controls heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure and the 

reflex actions of coughing, sneezing and vomiting. 


Section 7: The endocrine system 

Section 7: The endocrine system 

KEY POINT 

Hormones are chemical 

messengers – chemicals 

released into the bloodstream 

to help control and manage 

the internal environment of 

the body. 

MAKE A NOTE 

A hormone can be seen as 

the ‘key’ which affects the 

specific target cell by binding 

to that cell, the ‘lock’. This 

binding ‘unlocks’ the cell’s 

response. 

ENDOCRINE 

FUNCTION CAN BE 

SUMMARISED AS: 

Endocrine gland receives 

stimulus. 

Gland releases chemical 

hormone. 

The structure of the endocrine system 

Along with the nervous system, the endocrine system helps to maintain homeostasis. 

Instead of using action potentials, however, the endocrine system exerts its influence via 

hormones (chemical messengers) which are produced by glands and secreted into the 

bloodstream. 

Hormones are chemicals released into the bloodstream to help control and manage the 

internal environment of the body. Hormones are derived from amino acids, steroids or 

occasionally fatty acids and are released from various glands around the body, known as 

the endocrine glands. Different hormones have different chemical shapes which determine 

the effects the hormones will have. 

Compared to the electrical messages (action potentials) of the nervous system, the 

chemical messages from hormones are slower. Cell response times to a specific hormone 

can range from a few seconds to 30 minutes, depending on concentration levels. However, 

the effects of hormones can last much longer than their action potential counterparts. 

Neural stimulus is very rapid but does not last; endocrine stimulus can last for hours, days 

or even longer. 

How hormones work 

To fully understand how the endocrine system works, the way hormones function around 

the body must first be appreciated. The process begins when an endocrine gland receives 

a stimulus that requires a response. The response is initiated by releasing a hormone 

into the surrounding bloodstream. Hormones are transported around the body, seeking 

out specific target cells. Each type of hormone is attracted to particular cellular receptors 

within the target cells which, in turn, will only be triggered by the ‘right’ hormone (in the 

same way that a lock can only be opened with the right key). Once the released hormone 

reaches a target cell, it docks at the cell’s receptor site; this initiates the desired response 

in the cell or group of cells. 

Finally, when the hormone response has had the desired effect, there is usually a feedback 

loop between the targeted tissue and the initiating endocrine gland which reduces or stops 

the hormone production. 

Hormone travels in 

bloodstream. 

1 

Stimulated glands with internal secretion 

secrete hormones directly into the blood 

Hormone received by 

target cell receptors. 

4 

Organ responds to hormone 

Cell stimulated to cause 

desired response. 

3 

Hormone recognises 

target cell of body 

Feedback to the 

originating gland. 

2 

Hormones travel to the target 

cell through the blood 

Figure 7.1 Endocrine function 

Copyright © 2019 Active IQ Ltd. Not for resale | 49

Section 9: The respiratory system 

Muscles involved in breathing 

The main muscles involved in breathing are the diaphragm, which is at the bottom of the rib cage, and the intercostal 

muscles between the ribs. 

During inspiration, the diaphragm muscle contracts, causing the normal ‘dome shape’ to flatten. The external intercostal 

muscles also contract, raising the rib cage (see figure 9.2). These actions increase the volume of the chest cavity. The 

increase in volume creates negative pressure between the air in the lungs and the air in the atmosphere. Like a vacuum 

effect, the negative pressure sucks air into the lungs until the two pressures are balanced. 

During expiration, the diaphragm muscle relaxes and rises, returning upwards to its dome shape. The intercostal 

muscles also relax, decreasing the chest cavity volume. This creates positive pressure, which ‘pushes’ some of the air 

out of the lungs. 

When breathing is more vigorous, the internal intercostal muscles become active. During expiration, they contract, 

forcing the ribs down and removing the air in the lungs. 

Costal breathing is a shallow pattern of breathing through the 

chest and involves the contraction of the external intercostal 

muscles. Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle may develop 

a pattern of shallow breathing because the diaphragm has 

reduced space to move. Shallow breathing is also experienced 

during times of stress. 

Diaphragmatic breathing is a deeper method of breathing. 

The abdomen is encouraged to rise and fall; it involves the 

contraction and lowering of the diaphragm. Diaphragmatic 

breathing is promoted in activities like yoga to assist relaxation. 

Forced breathing occurs when the body is demanding 

higher levels of oxygen (e.g. during high-intensity exercise 

or when recovering from maximal exercise). Scalenes and 

sternocleidomastoid muscles are recruited to increase the 

expansion capacity of the rib cage (these muscles contract to 

lift the upper rib cage upwards). The abdominals also assist the 

diaphragm by drawing the rib cage downwards. 

Figure 9.2 Movement of the diaphragm 

The passage of air through 

the respiratory system 

Nose 

Air enters the body through the following structures during 

inhalation: 

Larynx 

Trachea 

• Nose and mouth. 

• Pharynx (throat). 

• Larynx (voice box). 

• Trachea (windpipe) – a tube-like structure kept 

open by cartilage rings. 

• Primary bronchi (right and left). 

• Bronchioles. 

• Alveoli (air sacs). 

Lungs 

Bronchi 

Diaphragm 

Air leaves the body in the reverse direction during exhalation 

(see figures 9.1 and 9.3). 

Figure 9.3 The respiratory tract 


Section 3: Assessing and screening clients for sports massage treatments 

Reason for visit: Tension in the Cx 

Subjective findings/clients reported 

symptoms: 

Tight Cx L _R. 2 weeks, long periods of 

sitting. 12 hours/day, computer work. 

Better when traps stretch applied. 

Objective Findings 

ROM 

P(n) = Painful 1-10 

F = Functionally short, ROM = Range of motion, W = Weakness), or Other 

Joint Cx 

Soft tissues Posture Movement Palpation Soft tissues Posture Movement Palpation 

Upper 

trapezius 

Protracted 

shoulders 

Cx Flx = 

P+ 

Pectorals F F 

P+ 

Joint 

Joint ADL / Functional Test Finding 

Soft tissues Posture Movement Palpation Working posture Slumped seated posture 

Figure 3.7 An example of the objective assessment section of a client record card

Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy (sample manual)

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