Superficial heat administration and foam rolling increase hamstring flexibility acutely; with amplifying effects

To compare the objective and subjective efficacy of three treatments on acute hip-flexion range of motion (ROM). Assessor-blind, randomized within-subject cross-over. University athletic training clinic. Twenty-two female collegiate lacrosse and soccer athletes. The passive straight-leg-raise (PSLR) was used to measure acute hip-flexion ROM pre- and post foam rolling (FR), superficial heating (SH), combination (SH + FR) and control treatments. A seven-point Likert scale statement measured the perceived effectiveness of each treatment. Superficial heat (+10.4%, ES = 0.78), FR (+7.26%, ES = 0.52), and SH + FR treatment (+12.9%, ES = 1.26) improved hip ROM when compared to the control (+2.4%, ES = 0.24) (all p