The Effect of an Acute Bout of Self-Myofascial Release on the Physiological Parameters of Running

This study examined changes in the physiological parameters of running performance when self-myofascial release (SMR) was used prior to a submaximal run. A total of 16 male recreational runners, between the ages of 27 and 50 years old volunteered for the study. Participants had to complete a running event measuring a 10K or longer in the past 12 months and obtained a O2peakvalue of 45 mL·kg-lmin-1to be included in the study. Participants took part in two 40 min treadmill runs at 75% of their O2peak, one session with the use of SMR and the other with 20 min of seated rest prior to the run. Measurements of heart rate, blood lactate concentrations, ventilatory efficiency E/ O2), RPE, and running velocity were assessed. There was no statistically significant interaction or treatment effect for these variables when SMR was used prior to a 40 min treadmill run(p> .05; heart rate: d = .01, E/ O2: d= .07, RPE: d= .07). Although no positive effects on running performance were found, the lack of negative effects suggests the use of SMR prior to running does not hinder performance.