The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of myofascial self-release on muscle
mechanical properties, performance, neuromuscular function, and injury risk reduction in
young soccer players. The hypothesis is a reduction in the number of injuries in the
experimental group, as well as improvements in muscle mechanical properties, performance,
and neuromuscular function in young soccer players.The study will be a randomized
clinical trial with a convenience sample of approximately 65 male athletes aged between
14 and 18 years, divided into control and experimental groups. Athletes with no history
of injury in the three months prior to the study will be included, while those with a
history of previous surgery or lower limb fractures in the past five years, or who are
undergoing physiotherapy at the time of the study, will be excluded.Muscle mechanical
properties (myotonometry), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), ankle dorsiflexion range of
motion (Weight Bearing Lunge Test), motor control (Y Balance Test), and the reactive
strength index (Myjump App) will be assessed before, immediately after, and at 8 and 16
weeks post-intervention. Myofascial self-release will be performed bilaterally on the
quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves for 2 minutes per region, twice a week, using a
structured massage roller. All procedures will be demonstrated beforehand during the
study.
For the Myoton procedure, the athlete will simply lie in a supine and prone position on
the examination table. The athlete will only be asked to remain still in the "face-up" or
"face-down" position, feeling only the light contact of the device's probe, which is
painless and will be demonstrated beforehand.
In the Y Balance Test, athletes will be asked to balance on one foot atop a grid placed
on the floor, with their hands on their hips, and reach as far as possible with the
non-supporting leg in three marked directions on the floor, without lifting the heel of
the supporting leg.
For the Ankle Range of Motion - Weight Bearing Lunge Test, the athlete will place the
tested foot on a measuring tape positioned on the floor and will be instructed to touch
their knee to the wall in front of them without lifting the heel of the tested foot.
Three attempts will be allowed, and the longest distance from the big toe to the wall
will be recorded.
In the Sit-and-Reach Test, the athlete will sit on the floor with bare feet and both legs
extended. They will be instructed to keep their hands side by side and try to reach the
greatest possible distance on the ruler in front of them by bending forward without
bending their legs, holding the position for one second to measure the distance. Three
attempts will be allowed, and the greatest distance reached will be recorded.
For ground reaction strength, the athlete will be asked to jump off a 40 cm high box, and
as soon as their feet touch the ground, they will be encouraged to jump upward as quickly
and as high as possible.
In myofascial self-release, athletes in the experimental group will be asked to use the
myofascial release roller for 2 minutes before training on each of the three muscle
groups - anterior and posterior thigh and posterior leg. Athletes will be instructed to
roll using as much pressure as possible on the roller. For the anterior thigh, they will
roll across the entire front part of the thigh; for the posterior thigh, they will roll
from just below the gluteal region to just above the knee; and for the posterior leg,
they will roll from just below the knee to just above the heel.
