When massaging an athlete, which technique might be best utilized to help prepare their muscles before an event?

The technique that is often best utilized to help prepare an athlete's muscles before an event is tapotement. This method involves rhythmic tapping, hacking, or percussive movements that can effectively stimulate the muscles and increase blood flow to the area being treated. This heightened circulation helps to warm the muscles and enhance their readiness for performance, making it particularly beneficial as part of a pre-event massage routine.

Tapotement can energize the athlete, improve muscle tone, and facilitate flexibility, which are crucial factors in helping athletes reach their peak performance levels. Engaging these quick and invigorating strokes can also enhance neural readiness and promote a sense of alertness, further assisting in physical preparation prior to activity.

In contrast, techniques like effleurage (long, gliding strokes) and petrissage (kneading movements), while useful for relaxing muscles and improving circulation, are typically more appropriate for post-event recovery rather than pre-event preparation. Friction techniques, which focus on deep tissue manipulation, are also more suited for treating specific injuries or painful areas rather than for warming up the muscles before an activity. Thus, tapotement stands out as the most effective technique in the context of preparing an athlete for an event.