Which technique is primarily focused on addressing athletic performance and recovery?

The technique that primarily targets athletic performance and recovery is sports massage. This form of massage is specifically designed for athletes, with the aim of enhancing their performance and aiding in recovery from workouts or injuries. Sports massage can help reduce muscle tension, improve flexibility, and promote circulation, which are all essential for maintaining peak physical condition.

Additionally, this technique often incorporates both pre-event and post-event practices, tailored to the athlete's specific needs whether it’s to prepare for an upcoming event or to facilitate recovery afterward. The approach used in sports massage can include various strokes and techniques to address specific muscle groups that are engaged in athletic activities, thereby optimizing performance and minimizing the risk of injury.

Other techniques mentioned, while beneficial in their own contexts, do not specifically focus on the needs of athletes in the same way that sports massage does. For example, Swedish massage is primarily aimed at relaxation and improving overall wellness, while myofascial release targets fascial restrictions and tightness more generally rather than focusing on athletic needs. Aromatherapy, on the other hand, uses scents for relaxation and therapeutic effects but does not directly impact athletic performance or recovery.