Treatment Order and Retention of Self-Myofascial Release and Static Stretching on Passive Hip Flexion Range of Motion

Many healthcare professions incorporate foam rolling (FR) and static stretching (SS) to improve tissue extensibility. Currently, it is unknown if the order an individual performs FR and SS influences flexibility or whether flexibility is retained. This study aimed to determine if FR before, or, following SS influences passive hip flexion range of motion (ROM), and if changes are retained.

Between-group experimental design.

Thirty-five participants with less than 90° of passive hip flexion ROM volunteered. Over 8 days, 6 days separated by 24 hours, and then 1 week (day 7) and 2 weeks (day 8) following the last treatment, ROM was measured before and following 1 of 5 treatments; FR/SS, SS/FR, SS, FR, or nothing (control). Participants laid supine on a table where a bubble inclinometer was placed on the tibia of the dominant leg with the hip passively flexed to establish pretreatment ROM. Participants then received the treatments. Passive hip flexion ROM was assessed from pretreatment on day 1 to posttreatment on day 6, day 7 (1 wk), and day 8 (2 wk).

Passive hip flexion ROM increased for those receiving FR/SS, SS/FR, FR, and SS. ROM with FR and SS/FR was retained at day 7 but not day 8. Hip flexion ROM for FR/SS and SS were not retained at day 7 nor 8. SS/FR resulted in greater ROM than FR on day 6. SS/FR, FR/SS, SS, and FR were greater than the control at day 6. SS/FR was also greater than the control on days 7 and 8.

This study revealed that FR the hamstring muscles after SS produces the greatest gains in passive hip flexion and would be appropriate in noninjured patients with less than 90°.