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 0.05. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ROM and the H/QRatio at the velocities of 60degree/s, 120degree/s, and 180degree/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 = 0.001). No significant changes were found in H/QRatio after self-myofascial release for FOAM group (p >= 0.05). 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.
Copyright Human Kinetics. Reprinted with permission from Human Kinetics (Champaign, IL).

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