AMTA Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep Resource

The physiological effect of massage on the circulatory system that stands out is the increase in blood circulation. When massage is applied to the body, it encourages vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels. This process enhances blood flow by allowing more blood to travel through the vessels, reaching areas that may be deprived of adequate circulation. This increase in blood circulation can help deliver oxygen and nutrients more efficiently to tissues while also facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products.

The other options in the list diverge from this primary effect. Decreased blood flow would contradict the benefits of massage, as the goal is to enhance circulation. Improved respiratory function, while a potential benefit of overall wellness, is not specifically a physiological response of the circulatory system due to massage. Lastly, while a slight rise in body temperature can sometimes occur during massage due to increased circulation and metabolic activity, it does not directly represent a change in the functioning of the circulatory system itself like increased blood circulation does.