Research Article

Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players

Volume: 27 Number: 2 August 31, 2025
TR EN

Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of self-myofascial release (SMR) applied immediately after intense exercise on athletic performance parameters such as joint range of motion (ROM), flexibility, agility, and balance. One of the popular methods today to reduce the negative effects on the body after fatigue is self-myofascial release. Myofascial release is a targeted, directional, low-load mechanical force application aimed at restoring optimum tissue length and improving function. The study involved 12 male basketball players (mean age 16,42±0,52 years) who actively played basketball and were randomly divided into two groups (SMR=6 and CNT=6). The participants performed a self-myofascial release application for 30 seconds immediately after basketball training (3 days per week) for 8 weeks. The flexibility, agility, balance, and joint range of motion values of the participants were measured before and after the 8-week period (PreTest and PostTest). The statistical analysis of within-group time differences and inter-group differences was performed using a mixed design (2x2) ANOVA test (SPSS 23). Significant results in favor of the SMR group were found only for hip adduction ROM values (p<0,05), while improvements in other ROM values, flexibility, and agility parameters were detected within the SMR groups, though not statistically significant between PreTest and PostTest. As a result, it was not possible to establish evidence that SMR applications after training could significantly help in increasing joint range of motion, improving balance performance, enhancing muscle flexibility, or decreasing agility values in basketball players. However, improvements, albeit at low levels, in all parameters suggest that self-myofascial release may contribute to the recovery phase of athletes. Therefore, clinicians, sports scientists, coaches, and athletic performance specialists should provide athletes with the most appropriate recovery strategies for higher performance, readiness, and competition.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

S.Ü. Scientific Research Projects (SRP) Coordination Office

Project Number

23202017

References

  1. 1. Aboodarda S, Spence A, Button DC. Pain pressure threshold of a muscle tender spot increases following local and non-local rolling massage. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2015; 16(1): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-015-0729-5.
  2. 2. Adstrum S, Hedley G, Schleip R, Stecco C, Yucesoy CA. Defining the fascial system. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther, 2017; 21, 173–177.
  3. 3. Ajimsha MS, Al-Mudahka NR, Al-Madzhar JA. Effectiveness of myofascial release: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2015; Jan;19(1):102-12.
  4. 4. Amico AD, Morin C, Release M, Performance H. Miyofasyal salınımın insan performansı üzerindeki etkileri, literatür taraması. Miyofasyal Salınım Hum. Perform, 2013; 1, 1–45.
  5. 5. Beardsley C, Skarabot J. Effects of self-myofascial release: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 2015; 19, 747-758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.007.
  6. 6. Borg-Stein J, Simons DG. Focused review: Myofascial pain. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil, 2002; 83, 40–47.
  7. 7. Casanova N, Reis JF, Vaz JR, Machado R, Mendes B, Button DC, Pezarat-Correia P, Freitas SR. Effects of roller massager on muscle recovery after exercise induced muscle damage. J Sports Sci, 2018; 36: 56–63.
  8. 8. Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Cain M, Lee M. The effects of self myofascial release using a foam roll or roller massager on joint range of motion, muscle recovery, and performance: A systematic review. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2015; 10(6): 827-838.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Training, Physical Activity and Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 31, 2025

Submission Date

May 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 27 Number: 2

APA
Pense, M., Böge, V., & Demırel, H. (2025). Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 27(2), 322-334. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1705193
AMA
1.Pense M, Böge V, Demırel H. Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players. Turk J Sport Exe. 2025;27(2):322-334. doi:10.15314/tsed.1705193
Chicago
Pense, Mehmet, Veysel Böge, and Havva Demırel. 2025. “Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 27 (2): 322-34. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1705193.
EndNote
Pense M, Böge V, Demırel H (August 1, 2025) Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 27 2 322–334.
IEEE
[1]M. Pense, V. Böge, and H. Demırel, “Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players”, Turk J Sport Exe, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 322–334, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.15314/tsed.1705193.
ISNAD
Pense, Mehmet - Böge, Veysel - Demırel, Havva. “Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 27/2 (August 1, 2025): 322-334. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.1705193.
JAMA
1.Pense M, Böge V, Demırel H. Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players. Turk J Sport Exe. 2025;27:322–334.
MLA
Pense, Mehmet, et al. “Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players”. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, vol. 27, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 322-34, doi:10.15314/tsed.1705193.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Pense, Veysel Böge, Havva Demırel. Investigation of the Effects of Foam Roller Rolling Technique and Self-Myofascial Relaxation on Range of Motion, Balance, Flexibility and Agility in Young Male Basketball Players. Turk J Sport Exe. 2025 Aug. 1;27(2):322-34. doi:10.15314/tsed.1705193

Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY NC).