EFFECTS OF SELF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE ON THE FLEXIBILITY OF STUDENTS: AN ACCESSIBLE PROPOSAL

ABSTRACT

Several studies have assessed the applicability of the Myofascial Self-Release Technique (MSRT) in the acute improvement of flexibility in various sports and/or different populations. However, its integration into school physical education classes becomes challenging due to the high cost of materials. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the effect of MSRT on schoolchildren using both original foam rollers and rollers made from low-cost adapted materials. Thirty schoolchildren participated in the study and were randomly grouped into: Control Group (CG), Original Roller Group (ORG), and Adapted Roller Group (ARG). Flexibility was evaluated before and after the application of MSRT. MSRT was performed on target muscles once for 30 seconds with intervals of 15 seconds between stimuli. Comparisons in pre- and post-MSRT flexibility were assessed using the Student's t-test, with a significance level adopted of p <0.05. It was found that MSRT in ORG and ARG significantly increased schoolchildren's flexibility by 7.53% and 16.5%, respectively. Therefore, the use of rollers made with alternative (adapted) material for applying MSRT appears to be a more financially accessible way to be used in physical education classes and opens possibilities for its application beyond schools.

Keywords:
Students; Fascia; Pliability