The acute effects of two different self-myofascial release products on the calf muscle pump and plantar flexion ankle range of motion

Background: Massage can promote healing and recovery following exercise. (Carefelli et al. 1992). Barnes (1990) proposed that myofascial release helps to break up fibrotic fascial adhesions that may restrict joint range of motion (ROM). Self-myofascial release (SMR) is a type of massage that uses a roller and an individuals body weight to produce massage like loading over a specific anatomical area. Viscoelastic properties of muscle tissue extensibility increase during an acute bout (15 minutes) of massage-like loading (Haas et al 2012). Self-massage on the calves reduced pain and edema of the calves on nurses after an 8.5-hour work shift (Oh and Yoon 2008). Increasing blood flow through skeletal muscle will lead to increased oxygen delivery, which can increase healing and return to homeostasis post-exercise. Different shapes and densities of SMR rollers may produce different outcomes (Johansson 1962, Curran et al. 2012). Hypothesis: TP Footballer will have a greater effect on popliteal artery blood flow volume and ankle ROM vs. the SPRI® foam roller. Methods: N = 21 subjects (10 male 11 female; 18-27). No current lower extremity injury (within one year). No exercise 48 hours prior to data collection. Exercise was defined as any rigorous physical activity lasting 30 minutes or longer. Subjects rested prone 20 minutes. Resting BF and AD measurements were taken with an 8-13 MHz probe via Sonosite Micromaxx Doppler Ultrasound. Ankle ROM taken with a goniometer (mean of 3x). Statistics: Two-way repeated measure ANOVA and Bonferroni test was used to compare pre-test and post-test measures across both treatment conditions with two types of rollers. The α level was set at 0.05. Results: No significant increases found using the SPRI® foam roller on variables of BF Volume, TAP and ROM in plantar flexion. Significant increases found with arterial diameter. Significant increases using the TP Therapy Products Footballer® on variables of: ROM in plantar flexion, blood flow volume, arterial diameter Conclusion: SPRI® foam roller and TP Footballer® significantly increased popliteal arterial diameter. The TP Therapy Products Footballer® increased blood flow volume immediately following TP Therapy Soleus Protocol. TP Therapy Products Footballer® increased ankle plantar flexion immediately following TP Therapy Soleus Protocol.