Effects Of Self-myofascial Release On Rotational Shoulder Torque In Female Collegiate Athletes

Self-myofascial release (SMR) has been used to manipulate connective muscle tissue and the effects of SMR have not been well documented regarding improving sports performance for overhead female athletes. PURPOSE: To examine if applying SMR using a massage ball at the rotator cuff muscles would improve peak torque of internal and external rotation of the dominant shoulder. METHODS: 46 collegiate female athletes (Age 20.10 + 0.77 years; Weight 69.10 + 1.26 kg; Height 171.64 + 1.32 cm) without shoulder issues participated in this study. Participants were asked to stand with their dominant arm flexed at the elbow at a 90-degree angle. Internal and external range of motion (ROM) measurements were set on a Biodex III before each person executed six concentric contractions, followed by a ten-second rest, and one maximal repetition was performed at a speed of 120 degrees per second. The subjects were asked to place the massage ball on their outer rotator shoulder limb, rotating it in a small circular motion while maintaining a consistent intensity of a 7 out of 10 pain scale for one minute. After one minute, participants were asked to move the massage ball towards the upper scapular region, moving up and down against the ball for another minute, applying the same consistent intensity. After the SMR technique was performed, participants returned to the standing position in front of the Isokinetic Dynamometer to repeat another six concentric contractions and one maximal repetition at the same speed of 120 degrees per second. An one-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to detect differences between pre- and post-SMR. RESULTS: Significant improvements in torque and work were detected post-SMR for both internal and external rotation variables (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed acute effects of a 2-minute SMR intervention, with improvements in internal and external rotator torque and work of the dominant shoulder in female collegiate athletes.