Effects of self-myofascial release compared to static stretching on neuromuscular and functional performance of physically active healthy adults – crossover trial

Abstract

Introduction: Whether the neuromuscular activity, isometric muscle strength, and range of motion changes after self-myofascial release (SMR) remain poorly explored. Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of SMR compared to static stretching on the neuromuscular and functional responses of lower limbs in physically active adults. Methods: Two-period randomized crossover clinical trial (AB/BA) with a sample of 17 participants [mean (SD)] [40.9 [6.15] years, 14:3 (female: male). Participants performed one session of SMR or static stretching on the vastus mediallis and biceps femoris, each lasting 60 s, depending on the randomization sequence of the study phase (washout period of 1 week). Participants were assessed before and after each intervention regarding myoelectric activity (surface electromyography), maximal isometric muscle strength (load cell), and range of motion (Wells’ test). Results: We observed statistical evidence of a difference in SEMG activity (pre - post) between ALM and vastus medialis static stretching (difference [95% CI]: -0.455 [-0.861; -0.050]), but not in biceps femoris (0.059 [-0.566 ; 0.685]). We observed
statistical evidence of a difference in isometric strength between SMR and static stretching of the biceps femoris (4.421 [1.953; 6.888]), but not the vastus medialis (-1.384 [-7.312; 4.544]). We observed no statistical evidence of a difference in the mean
differences between static stretching and SMR for range of motion (-1.450 [-3.186; 0.286]). Conclusion: Both SMR and static stretching immediately increases range of motion of the lower limbs. Simultaneously, static stretching seems to increase the myoelectric activity whereas SMR decreases it. Further studies are required to verify the effects on isometric muscle strength.