Postural stability and knee proprioception in football players: The role of self-myofascial release with a foam roller
Keywords:
Body stability, football, joint position sense, myofascial releaseAbstract
The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of self-myofascial release exercises performed on the lower extremity and trunk muscles of amateur football players using foam rollers on postural sway and knee joint position sense. A total of 20 healthy amateur football players volunteered to participate in the study. In a crossover experimental design, participants underwent postural sway and knee joint position sensation measurements twice on different days in both the self-myofascial release (SMR-FR) condition and the control condition using foam rollers. SMR-FR exercises were performed on the lower extremity and trunk muscles for 60 seconds for each muscle group. Postural sway was measured with the Biodex Balance System in the eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions, and knee joint position sense (KJPS) was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer at 30°, 45° and 60° in the dominant leg. No significant difference was found between the foam roller group and the control group in the EO condition (p > 0.05). While there was a significant decrease in postural sway scores in the foam roller group after SMR-FR in the EC condition (t=3.021; p<0.05), no difference was found in the control group (p>0.05). Pre-post differences in postural sway scores were higher in the foam roller group (U=84.500; p<0.05). Pre-test EPS did not differ between groups (p>0.05). At post-test, 30° and 60° KJPS were not different between groups (p>0.05), but the control group had a higher KJPS at 45° (U=120.500; p<0.05). After FR-MFG, there was a significant decrease in KJPS values in the foam roller group at 30° and 60° (p<0.05), while KJPS did not change at 45° (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-test KJPS values of the foam roller and control groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, after foam roller myofascial release exercises, it was observed that the postural sway performance of amateur football players was not affected in the EO condition, but increased in the EC condition. In addition, it was found that after foam roller myofascial release there was an improvement in knee joint position sense at 30° and 60°, but no effect at 45°.
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