A Dose-Response Relationship Between Myofascial Release and Anaerobic Power Output in Active College-Aged Males

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if a dose response-relationship exists between MFR and anaerobic power output. This was tested using a self-MFR protocol of varying durations prior to an anaerobic power test. METHODS: This study included 19 college-aged males (Ht: 180.26 ± 1.50 cm, Wt: 82.57 ± 15.20 kg, Age: 20.58 ± 1.08) from a Midwestern University, all of who were classified as healthy and physically active. A single blinded, randomized design was utilized where the participants performed a Wingate test following four different pre-exercise conditions: control, 30-sec, 60-sec, and 90-sec of self-MFR. Participants completed 30-sec Wingate tests following each pre-exercise condition to assess anaerobic power using the Monark 894E Peak Bike (Varburg, Sweden) and Monark Anaerobic Test Software version 3.3.0.0. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed for all testing conditions. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between any of the testing conditions in terms of peak power output (PPO), percent power drop (PPD), minimum power output (MPO), and average power output (APO) at an alpha level p < .05. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this current study is that MFR targeting the fascia in the lower extremities of active college-aged males will not significantly impact anaerobic power output in a positive or negative manner. There may be more effective methods to increase anaerobic power output through the use of a warm-up routine other than MFR.