The immediate effect of bilateral self myofascial release on the plantar surface of the feet on hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Issue 3 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grieve, Rob; Goodwin, Faye; Alfaki, Mostapha; Bourton, Amey-Jay; Jeffries, Caitlin; Scott, Harriet
• Is Part Of: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. Volume 19:Issue 3(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 544
• Page End: 552
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Massage -- Periodicals; Exercise therapy -- Periodicals; Manipulation (Therapeutics) -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.12.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-8592

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Summary</title> <sec> <title id="sectitle0015">Background</title> <p id="abspara0010">Self myofascial release (SMR) via a tennis ball to the plantar aspect of the foot is widely used and advocated to increase flexibility and range of movement further along the posterior muscles of a proposed "anatomy train". To date there is no evidence to support the effect of bilateral SMR on the plantar aspect of the feet to increase hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0020">Aim</title> <p id="abspara0015">The primary aim was to investigate the immediate effect of a single application of SMR on the plantar aspect of the foot, on hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility. The secondary aim was to evaluate the method and propose improvements in future research.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0025">Design</title> <p id="abspara0020">A pilot single blind randomised control trial.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0030">Participants</title> <p id="abspara0025">Twenty four healthy volunteers (8 men, 16 women; mean age 28 years ± 11.13).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0035">Method</title> <p id="abspara0030">Participants underwent screening to exclude hypermobility and were randomly allocated to an intervention (SMR) or control group (no therapy). Baseline and post intervention flexibility was assessed by a sit-and-reach test (SRT). A one way between groups analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare between group outcome SRT measurements. Baseline pre-intervention and control SRT measurements were used as the covariate in the analysis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0040">Results</title> <p id="abspara0035">There was a significant increase (<italic>p</italic> = 0.03) in the intervention SRT outcome measurements compared to the control group, with a large effect size.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0045">Conclusion</title> <p id="abspara0040">An immediate clinical benefit of SMR on the flexibility of the hamstrings and lumbar spine was indicated and suggestions for methodological improvements may inform future research.</p> </sec> </abstract>