Immediate and Acute Effect of Self Myofascial Release vs. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Flexibility and Strength Performance in Young Male Soccer Players

Background: Regular exercise and performance can result in microtrauma, which is a small amount of damage to the muscle. The resulting inflammatory response may lead to fascia scar tissue over time, which in turn may lead to muscular dysfunction. Self-myofascial release (SMR) and instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM) are 2 popular, manual therapy interventions used by rehabilitation and exercise science specialists.

 Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare immediate and acute effect of SMR and IASTM on flexibility and strength performance in young male soccer players. Method: 27 young male soccer players were randomly assigned to receive either SMR via plain foam roller or IASTM via M2T blade. To compare the effect of interventions, subjects were assessed on measures of flexibility via sit and reach test and strength test by dynamometer. Results: An one way ANOVA was used to analyze differences. To test for the difference between interventions and across 3 assessments, a 3X3 split plot ANOVA with group (control, SMR, IASTM), time (0 min, 10 mins, 20 mins) and interaction effect (Group X Time) was employed. There was a significant for strength during performance without intervention vs. immediately after SMR and IASTM (p=0.03). however, There were no significant differences between interventions for all variables.

Conclusion: findings of our study suggest that SMR and IASTM did not improve physical performance in young male soccer players, but it also did not hinder performance. Even if performance is not improved, there does not seem to be any adverse effects to use either SMR and IASTM before physical activity, and we do not need to discourage athletes from using these tools.