AUTHOR=Chang Tian-Tian , Li Zhe , Zhu Yuan-Chun , Wang Xue-Qiang , Zhang Zhi-Jie 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.718827

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.718827

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=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 has been widely used in clinical and sports settings, but the effects of self-myofascial release on gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of self-myofascial release using a foam roller on the stiffness of the gastrocnemius–AT complex and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Fifty healthy, untrained, and non-sedentary participants (age=22.5±2.6y) were randomly divided into an intervention group (foam roller group) and a control group. The subjects in the intervention group received a single foam roller intervention (3 sets of 1 minute), while the subjects in the control group performed a 5-minute 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 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.