The effect of myofascial release applied to thoracolumbar fascia on flexibility, muscular endurance, and balance in healthy young adults: a single-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Context: Although cranial distant effects occur in self-myofascial release interventions for lower-extremity muscles and fascia, the results of caudal distant effects are still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the distant effects of myofascial release applied to the thoracolumbar fascia together with exercise training on balance, lower-extremity flexibility, and muscular endurance in healthy young adults. Design: Single-blinded randomized control trial design. Methods: Thirty-six healthy participants aged 18-35 years were randomly divided into 3 groups: myofascial release and exercise group (group 1, n = 12), exercise group (group 2, n = 12), and control group (group 3, n = 12). Three days a week for 4 weeks, group 1 applied the thoracolumbar fascia foam roller massage together with the warm-up, muscular endurance, balance, and stretching exercise program, and group 2 applied the same exercise program except for the foam roller massage. No intervention was made in group 3. Flexibility was assessed with sit and reach test, muscular endurance with the 1-minute sit to stand test, and balance with star excursion balance test before the intervention and at the end of the fourth week. Results: Flexibility, muscular endurance, and dynamic balance values increased significantly in groups 1 and 2 after the intervention (P < .05). When the difference values (Delta) of groups 1 and 2 were compared, there was a difference in favor of group 1 for flexibility, muscular endurance, and dynamic balance (P < .05). Conclusions: The results of the study showed that the effect of the distant myofascial release technique added to the exercise training on flexibility, muscular endurance, and dynamic balance was greater than the exercise training alone.