Effect of self-myofascial release on muscle strength in female soccer athletes: Randomized clinical trial

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The variable muscle strength (MS) in sports practice, especially in football, is extremely important in activities such as kicks, ball disputes, sprints and jumps. In addition, it allows identifying individuals who are at risk groups for injuries. Thus, techniques, such as self-myofascial release (SMF), have been used to improve sports performance and to prevent injuries. OBJECTIVE: To verify the chronic effect of SMF on MS in female soccer athletes. METHODOLOGY: This study is a randomized clinical trial. 14 female soccer athletes participated in the study. Initially, evaluations were performed on the isokinetic dynamometer device of knee extensors and flexors. The participants were divided into two groups, an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). IG participants performed a warm-up associated with SMF with a foam roller. CG participants, on the other hand, performed the same warm-up, but without the association of SMF. 48 hours after the last intervention, a reassessment was performed on the isokinetic dynamometer device. RESULTS: There were no significant effects between groups in the post-test. In the pre-and post-test comparison between the groups, there was a significant worsening in the peak torque variable of the dominant lower limb extension in the group that did not perform SMF (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that a chronic SMF approach was not able to generate significant changes in the MS of knee extensors and flexors. Further studies are needed to support these findings. ReBEC Registration: RBR-7qnxty.