COMPARISON OF SELF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TECHNIQUES USING FOAM ROLLER AND LACROSSE BALL IN INDIVIDUALS WITH HAMSTRINGS TIGHTNESS

Background:Hamstrings tightness gives rise to pain in heel, knee and low back. Self myofascial release(SMR) techniques have gained popularity within fitness and rehabilitation communities as a holistic means for prevention/treatment of pathologies. SMR methods includes release with foam roller, roller massage sticks and lacrosse ball. Aim:To compare immediate effect of foam roller and lacrosse ball for self-myofascial release on hamstring flexibility. Setting and Study Design: This Experimental study was carried out at Pune. Materials and Method: 32 individuals, 18-30 years, both genders, with Hamstring Tightness(Active Knee Extension deficit > 25°), divided in two groups. Group A(n=16) performed foam rolling and Group B(n=16) performed self-release with lacrosse ball. Results: Group A showed statistically significant difference (p<0.001) as compared to group B. Conclusion:Self-myofascial release with foam roller showed statistically significant difference in improving Hamstrings flexibility as compared that with Lacrosse balls.