AI Article Synopsis
- Static stretching (SS) can enhance ankle range of motion (ROM) but may reduce force output, while self-massage (SM) with a roller does not impair performance.
- In a study with 14 subjects, both SS and SM were compared for their effects on ankle ROM, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, and balance.
- Results showed that roller massage significantly increased force output compared to SS, and both techniques improved ankle ROM without impacting balance or muscle activation levels.
Article Abstract
Background: Limited dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) has been linked to lower limb injuries. Improving limited ankle ROM may decrease injury rates. Static stretching (SS) is ubiquitously used to improve ROM but can lead to decreases in force and power if performed prior to the activity. Thus, alternatives to improve ROM without performance decrements are needed.
Objectives/purpose: To compare the effects of SS and self massage (SM) with a roller massage of the calf muscles on ankle ROM, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force F100 (force produced in the first 100 ms of the MVC), electromyography (EMG of soleus and tibialis anterior) characteristics of the plantar flexors, and a single limb balance test.
Methods: Fourteen recreationally trained subjects were tested on two separate occasions in a randomized cross-over design. After a warm up, subjects were assessed for passive dorsiflexion ROM, MVC, and a single-limb balance test with eyes closed. The same three measurements were repeated after 10 minutes (min) of rest and prior to the interventions. Following the pre-test, participants randomly performed either SS or SM for 3 sets of 30 seconds (s) with 10s of rest between each set. At one and 10 min post-interventions the participants repeated the three measurements, for a third and fourth cycle of testing.
Results: Roller massage increased and SS decreased maximal force output during the post-test measurements, with a significant difference occurring between the two interventions at 10 min post-test (p < 0.05, ES = 1.23, 8.2% difference). Both roller massage (p < 0.05, ES = 0.26, ~4%) and SS (p < 0.05, ES = 0.27, ~5.2%) increased ROM immediately and 10 min after the interventions. No significant effects were found for balance or EMG measures.
Conclusions: Both interventions improved ankle ROM, but only the self-massage with a roller massager led to small improvements in MVC force relative to SS at 10 min post-intervention. These results highlight the effectiveness of a roller massager relative to SS. These results could affect the type of warm-up prior to activities that depend on high force and sufficient ankle ROM.
Level Of Evidence: 2c.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3924613 | PMC |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The Effect of Myofascial Release Applied to Thoracolumbar Fascia on Flexibility, Muscular Endurance, and Balance in Healthy Young Adults: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
J Sport Rehabil
January 2025
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Context: Although cranial distant effects occur in self-myofascial release interventions for lower-extremity muscles and fascia, the results of caudal distant effects are still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the distant effects of myofascial release applied to the thoracolumbar fascia together with exercise training on balance, lower-extremity flexibility, and muscular endurance in healthy young adults.
Design: Single-blinded randomized control trial design.
The acute cross-education effect of foam rolling on the thigh muscles in patients after total knee arthroplasty.
Front Rehabil Sci
October 2024
Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Introduction: In the early postoperative period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), joint range of motion (ROM) limitation and increased stiffness due to pain are commonly observed. Previous studies have reported that a single bout of foam rolling (FR) can acutely increase ROM and pain threshold on the contralateral (non-intervention) side in healthy participants. In this study, we aimed to expand this knowledge for TKA rehabilitation and investigated the acute effects of FR intervention on the non-operative side on ROM, stiffness, and pain of the operative side in postoperative patients within the first week after TKA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of foam rolling on local and distant pain sensitivity assessed with pressure pain thresholds in healthy participants and musculoskeletal pain patients: A systematic review.
J Bodyw Mov Ther
October 2024
Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Introduction: The self-treatment with a foam roller is a popular form of myofascial release, although the underlying mechanisms, particularly on pain sensitivity, remain unclear. It is hypothesized that the hypoalgesic local effects are probably due to changes in fascial and muscle tissue, whereas remote effects may be influenced by central endogenous pain modulation. This systematic review aimed to quantify the difference between local and remote hypoalgesic effects of the foam rolling intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActive versus passive foam rolling on range of motion, tissue property, and neural adaptation in healthy young adults: A randomised controlled trial.
J Bodyw Mov Ther
October 2024
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Japan. Electronic address:
Introduction: Self-massage using a foam roller (foam rolling) is effective for increasing range of motion (ROM). However, the independent effects of pressure stimulation and voluntary movement during foam rolling remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of pressure stimulation and voluntary movement during the foam rolling intervention on ROM and its related parameters from the aspects of tissue mechanical properties and the central nervous system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEfficacy of self-care foam rolling intervention on muscle function and pain conducted by postoperative patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty from the second to the third postoperative week.
J Bodyw Mov Ther
October 2024
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Takeda General Hospital, 3-27 Yamagamachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, 965-8585, Japan.
Background: This study aimed to investigate whether self-care foam rolling (FR) intervention, in addition to regular physical therapy, effectively improves pain, knee joint range of motion (ROM), muscle function (knee extension strength and gait speed), and balance function in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) during the second and third postoperative weeks.
Methods: A total of 15 patients admitted to the hospital and who underwent TKA for knee osteoarthritis were enrolled. FR was performed for more than 10 min in the morning and 10 min in the afternoon each day from the second to the third postoperative week.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!