Myofascial training paradigm

• Main Authors: İlbilge ÖZSU, Cem KURT
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Balikesir University 2018-12-01
• Series: Uluslararası Spor, Egzersiz ve Antrenman Bilimi Dergisi
• Subjects: fasya; myofasyal sistem; foam roller; myofasyal gevşetme; performans testi; fascia; myofascial system; foam roll; myofascial release; performance testing
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/useeabd/issue/31155/492721?publisher=useeabd
• ISSN: 2149-8229; 2149-8229

Aim: According to Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trend which was conducted by the American College of Sport Medicine, SMR exercises are in the first twenty places among fitness trends of the last 3 years. Although SMR exercises are frequently preferred by trainers/athletes, effects of SMR exercises on athletes performance are contradictory. In this review, it was aimed to investigate the effects of SMR exercises on athletes performance.Methods: In accordance with the aim of the study; PubMed, Google, Google Scholar database were searched during November 2018 using “Fascia”, “Fascia and Adaptability to Mechanical Loading”, “Self Myofascial Release”, “Foam Roller”, “Self Myofascial Release and Flexibility”, “Self Myofascial Release and ROM”, “Self Myofascial Release and Performance”, “Self Myofascial Release and Performance Testing” keywords.Results: According to results obtained from literature, it may be accepted that SMR exercises increase flexibility and Range of Motion (ROM). Moreover, use of SMR exercises combined with SS may be more effective in increasing flexibility/ROM than treatment of SS or SMRalone.  SMR exercises may be used for warm-up tools as SMR exercises have no detrimental effects for subsequent performance. Although the effects of SMR exercises on myofascial system and performance cannot be fully explained, Thixotropy property of fascia or activation of kinesthetic and mechanical receptors in myofascial system might be accepted as possible mechanisms.Conclusion: Some studies suggest that muscular performance could be affected negatively after SMR exercises. Therefore, the results of these studies should be considered necessary by trainers/athletes.  As there is no any universal guide which explains how SMR exercises should be applied. Trainers/athletes should apply SMR exercises in accordance with their experiences or they should remove SMR exercises from their training programme.