Myofascial Release

Introduction Fascia inflammation has been linked to discomfort in muscles following bouts of athletic performance. Myofascial release is often used as an aid to help alleviate this discomfort. This, however, is often utilized only as a post-exercise treatment and limited research has been done for its pre-exercise benefits. Of the literature available, there is a strong disconnect to the observed benefits for pre-exercise myofascial release, especially from foam rolling. The purpose of this study is to reconcile the conflicting results of existing literature and determine how pre-exercise foam rolling affects dynamic performance and range of motion.
Surrounding muscles and many other structures in the human body, is a thin but tough,
Generally, this myofascial release treatment is implemented and studied using massage therapists, who provide manual therapy to the tissue, with the intent of releasing or reducing the fibrous adhesions seen between the layers of facial tissue. Recently, a new version myofascial release therapy has been implemented, where the individual self-applies the treatment, using his or her own body weight to exert pressure against a foam roller. This sweeping pressure on the tissue generates friction between body and the foam roller, which in turn increases the temperature and blood flow to the respective tissue (Macdonald, et al, 2013). These two factors works congruently with the pressure to break up the fibrous adhesions between the layers of fascia and tissue, and drive it into a more fluid like form (Macdonald, et al,
Subjects will perform a five minute warm-up consisting of jogging at a self-selected pace for 1,000 meters, along with a general warm-up, consisting of a variety of mobility and full range of motion movement such as arm circles and body weight squats. Following these will be two sets of 10 repetitions of flow maneuvers. After the dynamic warm-up participants will be broken down into the control and experimental groups. 13 individuals, as part of a control group, will be asked to perform the sit-and-reach test to demonstrate flexibility followed by a vertical jump test to demonstrate power. The remaining 13 individuals, the experimental group, will be asked to engage in self myo-fascial release utilizing the foam rolling protocol followed by both the sit-and-reach and vertical jump test in that