Immediate Effects of Quadriceps or Hamstrings Myofascial Release on Cervical Active Range of Motion in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the immediate effects of myofascial release (MFR) of the quadriceps or hamstrings on active range of motion (ROM) of cervical flexion and extension.

METHODS

Sixty healthy individuals were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group intervention 1 (GI 1) (n = 20), group intervention 2 (GI 2) (n = 20), and group control (GC) (n = 20). In the first assessment (M0), the cervical flexion and extension ROM were measured with a goniometer. MFR with a foam roller was applied on the hamstrings (GI 1) or quadriceps (GI 2) of the dominant lower limb for 3 series of 1 minute with 30 seconds rest. The GC had no intervention. Immediately after the intervention, all groups were assessed again (M1).

RESULTS

The results showed a significant increase in the active ROM for cervical flexion in GI 1 (P = .002, rank biserial correlation = -0.821) and GI 2 (P = .001, rank biserial correlation = -1.000), as well as for cervical extension in GI 1 (P = .001, rank biserial correlation = -0.905) and GI 2 (P = .001, rank biserial correlation = -0.858). However, there were no differences in the GC active ROM of cervical flexion (P = .150) and extension (P = .376). Significant intergroup differences were observed for cervical flexion and extension when comparing GI 1 and GI 2 to GC (P = .002; P = .001, ϵ² = 0.304-0.326).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that applying MFR using a foam roller to the quadriceps or hamstrings increased the ROM of cervical flexion and extension in healthy individuals in the short term.