Myofascial release strategies and technique recommendations for athletic performance: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and foam roller self-myofascial release (FRSMR) strategies and verify their results in athletic performance. METHOD: Systematic review conducted in four databases from 2017. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of two forms of soft tissue mobilization on athletes' performance. The risk of bias was analyzed using the Cochrane Handbook scale. RESULTS: Ten studies were included for qualitative analysis. IASTM increased range of motion, knee joint kinetic force, peak torque, and angular velocity in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. The technique increases isometric strength and isokinetic power in vertical jumping. FRSMR was relevant in counter movement jumping between the pre- and post-intervention conditions, mainly by increasing strength in the initial jumping phase. CONCLUSIONS: IASTM should be used in sports preparation to improve muscle response and explosive force production. FRSMR increases flexibility as it tends to restore tissue elasticity, but it does not improve aerobic activity. The suggested time for strategy intervention is at least 90 s per muscle group.

Manipulation of the Fascial System Applied During Acute Inflammation of the Connective Tissue of the Thoracolumbar Region Affects Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 and Interleukin-4 Levels: Experimental Study in Mice.

Fascia can become rigid and assume a fibrotic pattern due to inflammatory processes. Manipulation of the fascial system (MFS), manual technique targeting connective tissues, is commonly used in clinical practice in pain management. We aimed to verify MFS effects on the connective tissue inflammatory changes in mice. Swiss Mus musculus male mice (n = 44) were distributed into groups: carrageenan without treatment (Car, n = 11), carrageenan with MFS (Car + MFS, n = 12), saline without treatment (n = 10), and saline with MFS (saline + MFS, n = 11). Interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels were verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutrophil (Ly-6G), macrophage (F4/80), and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS-2) were identified using Western blot. The MFS protocol was applied from the first to the third day after inflammation of the connective tissue of the thoracolumbar region. There was a significant MFS effect on IL-4 (p = 0.02) and TGF-ß1 (p = 0.04), without increasing MCP-1, TNF, and IL-6 levels (p > 0.05) on thoracolumbar region from Car + MFS, in comparison with saline. Ly-6G in Car + MFS presented lower levels when compared with saline (p = 0.003) or saline + MFS (0.003). NOS-2 levels were lower in Car + MFS than in saline + MFS (p = 0.0195) or saline (p = 0.003). MFS may have an anti-inflammatory effect, based on TGF-ß1 and IL-4. IL-4 may have inhibited neutrophil migration. Lower levels of NOS-2 may be linked to the lack of macrophages, which are responsible for NOS-2 expression.