COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE WITH STATIC STRETCHING ON ANKLE RANGE-OF-MOTION IN ADOLESCENT ATHLETES

Background: Increased flexibility is often desirable immediately prior to sports performance. Static stretching (SS) has historically been the main method for increasing joint range‐of‐motion (ROM) acutely. However, SS is associated with acute reductions in performance. Foam rolling (FR) is a form of self‐myofascial release (SMR) that also increases joint ROM acutely but does not seem to reduce force production. However, FR has never previously been studied in resistance‐trained athletes, in adolescents, or in individuals accustomed to SMR.