scholarly journals Effects of Self-Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller on the Stiffness of the Gastrocnemius-Achilles Tendon Complex and Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Tian Chang ◽  
Zhe Li ◽  
Yuan-Chun Zhu ◽  
Xue-Qiang Wang ◽  
Zhi-Jie Zhang

Increased muscle stiffness can contribute to reduced range of motion (ROM) and impaired function. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion ROM has been associated with increased injury risk in the ankle. Self-myofascial release (SMR) has been widely used in clinical and sports settings, but the effects of SMR on gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of self-myofascial release using a foam roller (FR) on the stiffness of the gastrocnemius–AT complex and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Fifty healthy, untrained, and non-sedentary participants (age=22.5±2.6years) were randomly divided into an intervention group (FR group) and a control group. The subjects in the intervention group received a single foam roller intervention (three sets of 1min), while the subjects in the control group performed a 5-min sedentary rest. Stiffness of the gastrocnemius–AT complex was evaluated using MyotonPRO and the ankle dorsiflexion ROM was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test. For the foam roller and control groups, the between-group analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in gastrocnemius stiffness and ankle dorsiflexion ROM after intervention (p<0.05). Within-group analysis revealed a significant increase in ROM and a significant decrease in medial and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) stiffness for the foam roller group after the intervention (p<0.05). In addition, further analysis of the preintervention data revealed a significant negative correlation between ankle dorsiflexion ROM and AT stiffness (r=−0.378 and p=0.007). These results suggest that self-myofascial release using a foam roller on the calf is an effective method for decreasing the stiffness of the gastrocnemius and increasing ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Mark Godwin ◽  
Edward Stanhope ◽  
James Bateman ◽  
Holly Mills

This study examined the acute effects of self-myofascial release plus dynamic warm up versus dynamic warm up alone on ankle range of motion and drop jump performance. Twenty-five recreationally active participants (male: 16, female: 9) were randomly assigned into a foam rolling (FR) or a dynamic warm up group (CON) (age: 22.8 ± 3.9 years, body mass 75.9 ± 13.2 kg, stretch stature: 174.1 ± 10.1 cm). In a randomised crossover design, each participant completed two experimental sessions that were separated by seven days. Ankle range of movement was assessed while using a weight-bearing lunge test and drop jump performance was recorded via bilateral force plates. Following a 5 min cycle, the foam rolling group undertook self-myofascial release to the lower limb and thoracic/lumbar regions, followed by a dynamic warm up. The control group undertook the same initial warm up plus the dynamic exercises. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. There was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in ankle range of motion immediately after the warm up for both groups (pre CON: 37.5 ± 5.31, post CON: 39.8 ± 5.76; pre FR 38.7 ± 7, post FR: 40.3 ± 7.3 deg). No significant difference was found between the conditions (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences for any indices of jump performance (p > 0.05). Based on these results, foam rolling plus dynamic exercises does not appear to impair or enhance drop jump performance, despite the increases in ankle range of movement.


Author(s):  
Aishwarya R. Ranbhor ◽  
Ashish J. Prabhakar ◽  
Charu Eapen

Background:Stretching has been proven to be effective on pain and range of motion (ROM) in patients with plantar fasciitis. Despite recent gain in popularity and the proposed theories of effectiveness of foam roller, there is a lack of literature on the effect of foam rolling on plantar fasciitis. Objective:The objective of this study was to compare the effects of foam rolling and stretching on pain and ankle ROM in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methods:A total of 50 participants were included and randomly allocated to the stretching and foam roller groups. Visual analog scale (VAS), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) for gastrocnemius, soleus and plantar fascia and weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) measurements were recorded at baseline and immediately after treatment. Results:Within-group analysis has shown there is a statistically significant difference ([Formula: see text]) in all the outcome measures in both foam roller and self-stretching groups. The between-groups analysis showed no statistical significance difference in VAS, plantar fascia PPT and WBLT parameters (with [Formula: see text]-values of 0.171, 0.372 and 0.861, respectively); however, significant differences were found in gastrocnemius PPT ([Formula: see text]) and soleus PPT ([Formula: see text]). Conclusion: It was seen that both stretching and foam rolling techniques helped in reducing pain and increasing the ROM. However, the effectiveness of foam roller was superior to stretching in terms of increase in PPTs at gastrocnemius and soleus. Clinical Trial Registration No: CTRI/2018/01/011398. Name of registry: The Clinical Trials Registry — India (CTRI); https://ctri.nic.in .


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
Afif Zainuri Wafiq ◽  
Atika Yulianti

Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis is a condition that frequently occurs in elderly which has a major impact on the elderly’s disability. As a degenerative disease, knee osteoarthritis occurs due to cartilage damage which is then accompanied by inflammation, pain, stiff joints and muscles thereby limiting the range of motion. This research aims to compare the effect of Kinesio taping and a combination of myofascial release and Kinesio taping intervention on ROM improvement in elderly with knee osteoarthritis.Methods: This study applies a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent group approach. Goniometer is applied as a measurement instrument. 25 people participated in this study who were recruited through purposive sampling. The sample was then divided into 2 groups which were given treatment 3 times a week in one month. The control group with Kinesio Taping treatment consisted of 14 samples and the case group with a combination treatment of myofacial release and Kinesio taping consisted of 11 samples. Furthermore, data analysis was performed with the Shapiro Wilk test, Wilcoxon rank test, and the Mann-Whitney test using SPSS version 25.Results: The comparison test results show that the significance value of p yields 0.6> 0.05, therefore H1 is rejected, and H0 is accepted. The interpretation of these results is that there is no significant difference between the effects of Kinesio taping and the combination of myofacial release and Kinesio taping on increasing ROM in the elderly with the risk of knee osteoarthritis.Conclusion: This study shows that there is no significant difference in the effect of the treatment of Kinesio taping and the combination of myofacial release and Kinesio taping in increasing ROM in the elderly with osteoarthritis.


Author(s):  
Zohre Najafi ◽  
Zahra sadat Manzari ◽  
Fariborz Rezaeitalab ◽  
Amin Azhari

Background:Stroke is the most common debilitating neurological disease in adults. Therefore, rehabilitation is a major consideration to reduce costs and relief disabilities. Biofeedback, a newly recommended method is claimed to be able to improve the consequences following stroke by enhancement the understanding of the psychological functions of the body.  Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of biofeedback on the motor– muscular situation in rehabilitation of stroke patientsMethods:The present study was a randomized clinical trial that was started in May 2016 and completed in September 2016. The sample of this study included all the patients with stroke attending the physiotherapy center of Imam Raza hospital in Mashhad, Iran. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups (case and control group) after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In the intervention group, biofeedback (2 times a week for 15 sessions, each session lasting 20 minutes) was performed.Before the intervention demographic information questionnaire was complete by all participants. Then a check list of main variables such as hands muscle strength, muscle stiffness (spasticity), balance and ability to walk was complete by a physician. In the 7th session of the exercise and in the end of intervention (14th session), again, the main variables of the check list were reassessed by the researcher. The statistical analysis was done by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.Results:the mean score of balance evaluation in pre-intervention had not any significant differences (p=0.503), but in post intervention evaluation, this score in intervention group versus control group showed significant differences (p=0.014).the mean score of muscle strength,Results showed that by eliminating the effects of muscular strength before the intervention, this variable in both intervention and control groups after the intervention, had improvement and significant difference (p=0.005).Comparison the average spasticity, showed that spasticity evaluation score before and after intervention had no significant difference between the two groups (p=1.00)Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study, the biofeedback therapy is a promising treatment modality in improvement the motor– muscular condition following stroke.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Mei Yan Cheung ◽  
Lok Chun Man ◽  
Wing Hang Angela Ho

Introduction: Sarcopenia and osteoporosis increase the risk of fall, resulting in fragility fracture. Intervention programme on sarcopenic hip fracture was set up in our centre. Method: All patients aged ≥65 admitted to Caritas Medical Centre with operatively treated hip fracture and diagnosed with sarcopenia were included. Interventions include inpatient nursing education, dietary advice, therapist assessment and structured 12-week Geriatric Day Hospital (GDH) exercise programme. Those who are not eligible for GDH training were classified as control group. Changes in relative skeletal muscle mass index (RASM), muscle strength and functional scores were measured. Results: There were 11 intervention and 13 control patients. Both groups of patients were noted to have improvement in RASM, knee extension power of lower limbs and functional scores. Between-group analysis showed there was more improvement in injured limb extension power in the intervention group, although it is statistically insignificant (control group: 3.585 kg, intervention group: 5.827 kg, p = 0.147). There was no statistically significant difference in the 3-month change in RASM (control group: 0.581 kg/m2, intervention group: 0.347 kg/m2, p = 0.369) and functional scores. Conclusion: These sarcopenic hip fracture patients may be too frail to benefit from traditional exercise treatment for sarcopenia. However, more improvement in muscle strength was observed in the intervention group although not statistically significant. Intervention programme with exercise prescription in sarcopenic hip fracture patients may have the potential to improve the lower limb muscle strength. A more intensive and longer exercise training programme with incorporation into day rehabilitation model may be needed for these frail hip fracture patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Justin M Stanek ◽  
Alex E Pieczynski

Background/aims Restricted ankle dorsiflexion has the potential to cause acute and chronic injuries. One method for increasing dorsiflexion range of motion is the application of joint mobilisation with movement. An alternative to clinician-applied mobilisation with movement is self-applied mobilisation with movement; however, this technique has not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-applied and clinician-applied mobilisation with movement technique for improving dorsiflexion range of motion in participants with ≤34° of dorsiflexion. Methods A total of 42 typically healthy participants qualified and were randomly assigned to the control, self-applied, or clinician-applied mobilisation with movement group. Closed chain ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was assessed using a modified weight-bearing lunge test. Results Both mobilisation groups showed significant increases in standing and kneeling dorsiflexion range of motion when compared to the control group, with no differences between treatment groups. Conclusions These findings suggest clinicians can teach patients to apply mobilisation with movement and receive similar benefits to a clinician-applied mobilisation with movement treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Cheatham ◽  
Kyle R. Stull

Context: Roller massage (RM) is a popular myofascial intervention. To date, no research has investigated the effects of RM on experienced and nonexperienced individuals and if there are differences between a prescribed RM program and a self-preferred program. Objective: The main objective was to measure the effects of a prescribed RM program with a foam roller on knee passive range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) among experienced and nonexperienced individuals. A secondary objective was to determine if there are differences between a prescribed RM program and a self-preferred program in experienced individuals. Design: Pretest and posttest observational study. Setting: University kinesiology laboratory. Participants: A total of 60 healthy adults (age = 26 [5.3] y) were allocated into 3 groups of 20 subjects: experienced, nonexperienced, and control. The experienced and nonexperienced groups followed a prescribed 2-minute RM intervention. The control group did their own 2-minute self-preferred program. Main Outcome Measures: Knee passive ROM and PPT. Results: For the experienced and nonexperienced, the between-group analysis revealed a statistically significant difference for ROM and PPT (P < .001). Within-group analysis revealed a posttest knee passive ROM increase of 8° for experienced and 7° for the nonexperienced. For PPT, there was a posttest increase of 180 kPa for the experienced and 169 kPa for the nonexperienced. For the prescribed versus self-preferred program, the between-group analysis (experienced vs control) revealed a statistically significant difference (P < .001). The within-group analysis revealed a posttest knee passive ROM increase of 8° for the prescribed and 5° for the self-preferred program. For PPT, there was a posttest increase of 180 kPa for the prescribed program and 137 kPa for the self-preferred program. Conclusion: These findings suggest that experienced and nonexperienced individuals have similar responses to a prescribed RM program. A prescribed RM program may produce better outcomes than a self-preferred program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Femmigje Lagas ◽  
Duncan E. Meuffels ◽  
Edwin Visser ◽  
Floor P. Groot ◽  
Max Reijman ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of targeted eccentric calf muscle exercises compared to regular training on ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adolescent soccer players with a decreased ankle dorsiflexion. Methods Male adolescent players (aged 14–21 years) from two professional soccer clubs were evaluated with the Weight Bearing Dorsiflexion Lunge Test (WBDLT) at baseline and after 12 weeks of this prospective controlled study. One club served as the control group and the other as the intervention group. Players with decreased ankle dorsiflexion (WBDLT) ≤ 10 cm) performed stretching and eccentric calf muscle exercises three times per week next to regular training in the intervention group, and performed only regular training in the control group. Primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in WBDLT between baseline and 12 weeks. Results Of 107 eligible players, 47(44 %) had a decreased ankle dorsiflexion. The WBDLT (± standard deviation) increased in the intervention group from 7.1 (± 1.8) to 7.4 (± 2.4) cm (95 % Confidence Interval (CI)[-0.493 to 1.108], p = 0.381) and in the control group from 6.1 (± 2.4) to 8.2 (± 2.9) cm (95 % CI [1.313 to 2.659], p < 0.001). The difference in change of WBDLT between both groups was statistically significant (95 % CI [-2.742 to -0.510], p = 0.005). Conclusions Targeted eccentric calf muscle exercises do not increase ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adolescent soccer players. Compared to regular training, eccentric exercises even resulted in a decreased calf muscle flexibility. Trial registration This trial was registered retrospectively on the 7th of September 2016 in The Netherlands Trial Register (ID number: 6044).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se-Ju Park ◽  
So-In Lee ◽  
Ho-Jin Jeong ◽  
Byeong-Geun Kim

Abstract Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to aid spasticity during physical therapy. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the range of motion (ROM) and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Methods: In this crossover design study, seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 h of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateral and medial muscles. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, gastrocnemius lateral stiffness, and gastrocnemius medial stiffness improved significantly (all P < 0.05). After NVR, only gastrocnemius lateral stiffness improved significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the change values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius lateral stiffness, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P < 0.05).Conclusions: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners should consider VR as an intervention to increase dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110676
Author(s):  
Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee ◽  
Mina Manoochehri

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of film screening for raising awareness and improving treatment in various clinical groups. This study not only focused on film screening but also paid special attention to pre-screening group analysis to explore the effectiveness of group movie analysis on mothers with schizophrenic sons. Methods: The present study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The research population included all mothers with schizophrenic sons who had enrolled in the Iranian Society Supporting Individuals with Schizophrenia in Tehran in 2021. The participants were 30 mothers with schizophrenic sons who were selected based on the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The participants in the intervention group attended 12 film therapy analysis sessions (one session per week). The data were collected using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Statistical analyses were performed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of resilience for the participants before ( M = 28.89) and after the film therapy analysis intervention ( M = 52.56, F = 6.15, p = .0001). Conclusion: Film therapy analysis was effective in improving the resilience of mothers with schizophrenic sons. It seems that movie screening with the group analysis afterward contributed to sharing the experiences of caring for the sick child and creating a sense of empathy in mothers. Thus, group movie analysis can be used as a suitable option to reduce the psychological distress of mothers with schizophrenic sons and improve their quality of life.


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