Stabilometric analysis in adults submitted to myofascial release maneuver: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Introduction: The central nervous system, through its afferent pathways, receives sensory input related to muscle tone, coordination, and proprioception that are directly related to body balance. The fascia is richly innervated and therefore has a role in proprioception according to the continuous network of its structure. The myofascial release maneuver (MLM) has been widely applied by both amateurs and high-performance athletes with diverse goals. However, there are prescriptions regarding the quantity and quality of balance exercises for adults, but it is based on medium to long-term proprioceptive stimulation programs. Thus, there is a gap about investigations about the maneuver applied to the fascial tissue and its possible effects on balance. Objective: To analyze the acute effect of MLM on static balance in men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study 67 healthy men were analyzed and randomly assigned to 7 groups: G1 (placebo), G2 (ant), G3 (post), G4 (med), G5 (lat), G6 ( ant-post), G7 (med-lat). There were two moments of stabilometric analysis: pre and post-MLM in unipodal support position. The MLM lasted 3min. MLM skin pressure was determined by VAS between 5 and 7. The stabilometric variables analyzed were: ellipse area, X, and Y displacements and velocity. To calculate the sample size was used the G power 3.1 software (Düsserdolf - Germany). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to verify normality, as well as (MANOVA), with the Bonferroni post hoc test, with a significance level of 95% (p≤0.05) for dependent variables. Results: It was observed that there was an improvement in group G5 in the stabilometric variable ellipsis area, in the condition closed eyes after MLM with p <0.001. Conclusion: The proposal of the protocol used was able to reduce postural sway resulting in an improvement in the variable dependent elliptic area in the G5 closed-eye condition (ant-post). The other groups did not improve in the dependent variables elliptical area, displacement, and velocity.