Effects of Myofascial Self-Release on Range of Motion, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Hamstring Strength in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Randomized, Controlled, Blind Clinical Trial

Self-Massage Acute Effects on Pressure Pain Threshold, Muscular Electrical Activity, and Muscle Force Production: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

Furlan, MR, Machado, E, Petter, GdN, Barbosa, IM, Geremia, JM, and Glänzel, MH. Self-massage acute effects on pressure pain threshold, muscular electrical activity, and muscle force production: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 620-635, 2024-Self-massage (SM) is often used in physiotherapy and sports training programs. However, the SM acute effects on pressure pain threshold (PPT), muscle electrical activity (MEA), and muscle force production remain unclear. A meta-analytical review was performed to verify the SM acute effects on neuromuscular responses in healthy adults or athletes. The review (CRD42021254656) was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. A synthesis of the included studies was performed, and both the risk of bias and the evidence certainty level were assessed through the PEDro scale and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, respectively. Nineteen studies were included, 5 evaluated the PPT, 7 the thigh muscles' MEA, and 15 the lower-limb strength. The SM application induces moderate increases in quadriceps' PPT (5 studies; standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.487; 95% CI 0.251-0.723; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). We found no SM effects on the hamstrings and plantar flexors' MEA. Also, we observed small increases in knee extensors' concentric torque (2 studies; SMD: 0.288; 95% CI 0.088-0.489; p = 0.005; I2 = 0%), without effects in isometric muscle strength, eccentric torque, and rate of force development. Grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation analysis showed high and low certainty levels for the SM effects on quadriceps' PPT and muscle strength, respectively. Self-massage pressure-volume application seems to be a determining factor in inducing changes in these parameters, and it may vary among the treated muscles, where a higher pressure-volume application is required for increasing knee flexors and plantar flexors' PPT and strength. Thus, new studies with better methodological quality should be performed to strengthen this evidence.

Foam Rolling Acute Effects on Myofascial Tissue Stiffness and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

Glänzel, MH, Rodrigues, DR, Petter, GN, Pozzobon, D, Vaz, MA, and Geremia, JM. Foam rolling acute effects on myofascial tissue stiffness and muscle strength: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 951-968, 2023-Foam rolling (FR) is widely used in rehabilitation and physical training. However, the effects of FR on myofascial tissue stiffness and muscle strength remain unclear. This study aimed to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of trials that tested the FR acute effects during warm-up on the myofascial tissue stiffness and muscle strength in healthy adults or athletes. This systematic review (CRD42021227048) was performed according to Cochrane's recommendations, with searches performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and PEDro databases. Syntheses of included studies' data were performed, and the PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. Twenty included studies assessed trunk and thigh fascial tissue stiffness, and thigh and calf muscle stiffness, whereas muscle strength was assessed in the knee extensors and flexors, and plantar flexors muscles. Qualitative analysis showed decreases in fascial ( n = 2) and muscle ( n = 5) stiffness after FR. However, the meta-analysis showed no effects of FR on myofascial tissue stiffness. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses showed no effects of FR on isometric muscle strength, eccentric torque, and rate of force development. However, the knee extensor concentric torque increased after FR. Foam rolling increases the knee extensor concentric torque, but it does not acutely change the myofascial tissue stiffness and isometric muscle strength. However, evidence of these studies provides low certainty to state that FR does not change these parameters. Therefore, high methodological quality studies should be performed to better ascertain the effects of FR on the myofascial tissue stiffness and muscle strength.