In the last decade various novel interventions such as foam rolling, tissue flossing and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization technique (IASTM) have been introduced and applied in rehabilitation as well as in sports practice. A common belief is that these interventions can increase range of motion and/or increase functional performance (acutely and chronically), reduce pain, counteract injury, and speed up recovery. Consequently, various studies have investigated the effects of these interventions. However, they have mainly focused on the acute effects on the muscle-tendon function. It has been shown that most interventions, when applied with a sufficient duration and intensity, acutely increase the range of motion of a joint but also influence functional performance (i.e., jumping, sprinting).
Despite these insights on the effects on muscle-tendon function (e.g., the increase in range of motion), to date there is still a lack of studies which additionally investigate the neuromechanical mechanism (e.g., tissue stiffness) behind such findings. Moreover, it is not yet well understood if such myofascial interventions (or especially which myofascial interventions) can be applied to expedite recovery or counteract injuries in athletes or even reduce pain in asymptomatic but also in symptomatic patients/athletes. Consequently, there is a need to conduct studies that assesses the effect of these interventions both acutely and chronically (i.e., several weeks).
This Research Topic encourages authors to submit their Original research but also Review articles dealing with:
• The acute, prolonged, and long-term effects of various myofascial techniques on muscle function and neuromechanical properties
• The impact of the various myofascial techniques on recovery
• The impact of the various myofascial techniques on pain
• The impact of the various myofascial techniques on injury
• A comparison of the various myofascial techniques on e.g., muscle-tendon function, neuro-mechanical properties, pain, injury, and recovery
Keywords: Foam Rolling, Roller Massage, Tissue Flossing, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique (IASTM), Massage
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
