Effects of Duration and Application Area of Self-Myofascial Release on Flexibility in Physically Active Adults

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Title: Effects of Duration and Application Area of Self-Myofascial Release on Flexibility in Physically Active Adults: a dissertation
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Description: Foam rolling can acutely improve range of motion (ROM) and it’s possible that longer durations of foam rolling can provide more favorable results. The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of different durations and the application area of foam rolling on changes in hamstring flexibility, ease of movement, and muscle tightness in physically active adults. It was hypothesized that both a 60 seconds (s) and 180 s of application of self-myofascial release (SMR) would increase hamstring flexibility when compared to a control group, with longer treatment times resulting in greater increases in ROM. Additionally, it was hypothesized that both rolling through the trigger point (TP) and holding the roller on the TP would increase hamstring flexibility when compared to a control group, with holding on the TP resulting in greater increases in ROM. Forty subjects (20 female and 20 male) were randomly assigned to one of five groups: (1) foam rolling (60 s) holding on the TP, (2) foam rolling (180 s) holding on the TP, (3) foam rolling (60 s) rolling through the TP, (4) foam rolling (180 s) rolling through the TP and (5) control group focusing on rhythmic breathing but not foam rolling. A sit-and-reach test measuring hamstring flexibility was completed before and after each session, and questionnaires were completed pre-, post- and 24-hours after. A 3 (time of application) x 3 (location of application) between-subjects factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the effects of the application area and the location of the foam roller. The main effect for foam rolling (p = 0.308), time of application (p = 0.310) and location of application (p = 0.541) were not significant. The interaction between time and location of application was not significant (p = 0.488). An inductive content analysis was performed, codes were used for data reduction, and similar information was placed together. Categories were formed so the five main themes would emerge: (1) ‘Feels beneficial’; (2) ‘Duration matters’; (3) ‘Hit the TP’; (4) ‘Immediate effects’; and (5) ‘Incorporate.’ Foam rolling functionally improved hamstring flexibility, but the differences did not differ significantly between any of the five groups. The 60 s holding on the TP group displayed the greatest improvement in overall mean score on the sit-and-reach test, and subjects reported improved movement and less tightness following treatment., Research Advisor: Thomas F. West.
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Contributor: Zelanko, Brian (Author)
Date: 2019-11-13
Type: Text
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Identifier: cali:1865
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