1- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (48 Views)
Purpose: Optimized flexibility, a critical component of physical fitness, substantially influences sports performance and injury prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of static stretching (SS), massage, and foam rolling (FR) on hamstring muscle flexibility.
Method: This study was quasi-experimental with a pre-post-test design. The statistical population consisted of football players with hamstring tightness. Thirty participants, aged between 17 and 25 years, were selected as research samples considering the incorporation and exclusion criteria and entered the study with full consent and awareness. The subjects were divided into three groups: SS, massage, and FR. The Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test assessed hamstring flexibility. A one-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the three groups, with a significance level of p≤0.05.
Results: The one-way ANCOVA revealed a significant difference in the immediate effects of three interventions [F (2,27) = 5.274, p<0.05]. The Bonferroni post hoc pairwise comparison revealed that the SS group showed significantly greater flexibility improvement than the FR group (p=0.004). Additionally, in contrast to the massage group, SS performed better (p=0.04). However, the Bonferroni post hoc test did not find a significant difference between the massage and FR groups (p=0.289).
Conclusion: Compared to massage and FR, SS seems to be a suitable option for increasing immediate flexibility in football players with hamstring tightness.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Sport Pathology and Corrective Movements Received: 2024/06/11 | Accepted: 2025/05/31