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The Effects of a Self-Myofascial Release Program on Isokinetic Hamstrings-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio and Range of Motion of the Knee Joint Among Athletes With Hamstring Shortness.

CONTEXT
Range of motion (ROM) and muscular strength are the main factors that affect athletic performance. Self-myofascial release is a flexibility technique, which is used to inhibit overactive muscle fibers.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of the 8-week self-myofascial release on the isokinetic hamstrings-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H/QRatio) and the ROM of the knee joint among male athletes with the hamstring shortness.


DESIGN
A randomized controlled trial.


SETTING
Research laboratory.


PARTICIPANTS
Twenty-four college-aged male athletes with hamstring shortness were selected for this study and were randomly assigned to a foam rolling group (FOAM, n = 12) and a control group (n = 12).


INTERVENTIONS
Participants in the FOAM group performed supervised self-myofascial release program 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention.


METHODS
Data were analyzed via 2-way repeated-measure analysis of variance at the significance level of .05.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
ROM and the H/QRatio at the velocities of 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s were measured by an isokinetic dynamometer.


RESULTS
The results of 2-way repeated-measure analysis of variance demonstrated that hamstring ROM increased in FOAM group (P = .001). No significant changes were found in H/QRatio after self-myofascial release for FOAM group (P ≥ .05).


CONCLUSIONS
When compared with other methods of stretching, self-myofascial release with foam rolling may be beneficial in increasing ROM without decreasing H/QRatio in people with the hamstring shortness.