Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Context: Myofascial release is a type of massage that releases bonds between the fascia and muscle, elongating the tissue. The premise of myofascial release is to increase blood-flow, increase tissue flexibility, and decrease pain. Self-myofascial release (SMR) is a myofascial release technique where the patient performs the treatment on themselves. Currently there are many types of foam rollers available for SMR, but no study has examined the effects of different types of foam rollers on dermal temperature and hamstring flexibility. Objective: To compare the effects of three types of SMR on dermal temperature and hamstring flexibility (hip flexion ROM). Design: Randomized, repeated measures design. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Participants included 28 healthy, college-aged volunteers (14 male, 14 female; age=23.0±2.0y; weight=78.87±17.16kg; height=174.17±11.26cm). Interventions: Participants experienced three types of foam rollers: semi-ridged foam roller (SRFR), rigid foam roller (RFR), and high intensity vibrating foam roller (HIVFR). During each session the participant rolled over the respective foam roller 4 times (from ischia, tuberosity to popliteal fossa) aided with a metronome. They completed the foam rolling protocol 3 times. Main Outcome Measures: We measured dermal temperature (mid belly of the hamstring) and hamstring flexibility before and after (up to 30-min) the foam rolling protocol. We measured dermal temperature using VitalSense ® dermal temperature sensing system. Dermal temperature has been accepted as a valid measure of indirect blood flow. We measured hamstring flexibility using a digital inclinometer at the mid-femur and mid-tibia. The hips and opposite thigh were strapped to the table to minimize hip rotation or the opposite leg coming off the table and influencing our results. We performed separate 3x3 (condition x time) and 3x6 (condition x time) repeated measures ANOVA statistical analyses with p value set at <0.05. Results: All foam rollers significantly increased (F 2,54 =48.236, p<0.001, η 2 =0.641, 1-β=1.00) hamstring flexibility following the treatment (mean difference=5.86°, p<0.001) immediately following and 30-min post-treatment (mean difference=3.98°, p<0.001). Although not statistically significant, HIVFR resulted in greater ROM (70.01±1.96°) immediately following the treatment that the SRFR (65.14±2.19°) and the RFR (66.20±1.93°). We identified an interaction effect for condition and time (F 3.27,88.4 =23.415, p<0.001, η 2 =0.464, 1-β=1.00).The foam rollers significantly increased (F 1.65,44.54 =112.90, p<0.001, η 2 =0.806, 1-β=1.00) dermal temperature from pre-treatment (30.81±0.15°C) to 10-min (p<0.001), 15-min (p<0.001), 20-min (p<0.001), 25-min (p<0.001), and 30-min (p<0.001). The HIVFR increased (32.86±0.22°C) dermal temperature significantly (F 1.77,47.72 =26.484, p<0.001, η 2 =0.495, 1-β=1.00) more than the SRFR (31.62±0.16°C) and RFR (31.39±0.16°C). Conclusions: After an acute bout of SMR, hamstring flexibility and dermal temperature significantly increased across all conditions. Dermal temperature significantly increased with the HIVFR over the other SRFR and RFR. Foam rolling can be used as an effective way at increasing hamstring flexibility and dermal temperature.
Recommended Citation
Roberts, Ethan, "Self-Myofascial Release Effects On Dermal Temperature And Hamstring Flexibility" (2016). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1710.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1710
