Context: Range of motion (ROM) and muscular strength are the main factors that affect athletic performance. Self-myofascial release is a flexibility technique, which is used to inhibit overactive muscle fibers.
Objective: To investigate the effects of the 8-week self-myofascial release on the isokinetic hamstrings-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H/QRatio) and the ROM of the knee joint among male athletes with the hamstring shortness.
Design: A randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Research laboratory.
Participants: Twenty-four college-aged male athletes with hamstring shortness were selected for this study and were randomly assigned to a foam rolling group (FOAM, n = 12) and a control group (n = 12).
Interventions: Participants in the FOAM group performed supervised self-myofascial release program 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention.
Methods: Data were analyzed via 2-way repeated-measure analysis of variance at the significance level of .05.
Main outcome measures: ROM and the H/QRatio at the velocities of 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s were measured by an isokinetic dynamometer.
Results: The results of 2-way repeated-measure analysis of variance demonstrated that hamstring ROM increased in FOAM group (P = .001). No significant changes were found in H/QRatio after self-myofascial release for FOAM group (P ≥ .05).
Conclusions: When compared with other methods of stretching, self-myofascial release with foam rolling may be beneficial in increasing ROM without decreasing H/QRatio in people with the hamstring shortness.
Keywords: fascial system; foam rolling; hamstring muscles; muscle strength.