Effects of Myofascial Release on Human Performance A Review of the Literature

Myofascial releasing rollers are muscle massage devices used by athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those recovering from injury to enhance functional ability. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of self myofascial releasing rollers on muscle strength, power, and flexibility compared to static stretching and control. STUDY DESIGN: Thirteen adult recreationally trained subjects consented to participate in a 3-week, counterbalanced repeated measure study, which consisted of 3 testing sessions (1 baseline and 2 data collection) scheduled 2 weeks apart. METHODS: Criterion measures of range of motion (ROM) of the hamstring musculature both seated and supine, isometric strength of the knee flexors (STR), and one leg jump power test (JUMP) were measured at one week before treatment conditions (baseline 1), before treatment conditions (baseline 2), and after treatment conditions of self-myofascial releasing (SMR) and static stretching (SS). Baseline 1 and 2 acted as the control (CONT). Statistical analyses involved a t test determining significant differences in treatments. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between SMR and SS in ROM. There was a significant difference between SMR and SS in STR. There was also a significant difference between SMR in JUMP. CONCLUSIONS: SMR increases ROM as much as SS. SMR increases isometric strength and increases jumping ability compared to SS and a control. IMPLICATIONS: SMR can improve acute ROM and may be used with or in replacement of SS towards improving ROM. SMR may be used as an aid before strength or power performance. Effects of Myofascial Release on Human Performance A Review of the Literature The purpose of this study is to determine if self myofascial releasing rollers, a common therapeutic tool used today have an effect on human performance and a rating of perceived function. At this time it is unclear whether self myofascial release has any tangible effect on any measurable physical attribute. After a medline search there appears to be no research study that has investigated the effects of self myofascial releasing rollers on human performance. Despite the lack of scientific evidence on behalf of self myofascial release, the technique has a large following. Many fitness professionals now incorporate some form of the technique in their programming, be it for warm-up, performance enhancement, or pain relief. Scientific evidence pertaining to myofascial releasing would be immensely helpful in determining the merit of this technique from a research standpoint. As it stands, myofascial release is deemed beneficial based primarily on anecdotal evidence. On a larger scale, as participation in fitness activities grows among the athletic and general population, a need for some consensus on proper exercise protocol is apparent. Research is regularly conducted to measure the efficacy of various strength, cardiovascular and speed enhancing techniques. Less attention is generally paid to the pre-exercise “warm-up” portion of an exercise session, from a practical and research standpoint. This could be due to the difficulty of attributing a measurable training effect Myofascial Release and Human Performance 3