Comparative Effects of SMR Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Forward Flexion and Jump Height in U14–U15 Football Players

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: 2025-10-20
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21486/recreation.2025.15.3.3
Keywords:
SMR, dynamic stretching, fascia, flexibility, jump height, U14–U15 football players

Main Article Content

Mónika Szigethy
Eötvös Loránd University image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5508-6540
Enikő Hurtik-Tóth
Eötvös Loránd University image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6824-7662

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of SMR (self-myofascial release) rolling and dynamic stretching on lower limb flexibility and vertical jump height among U14–U15 football players. Two youth teams from Király SE participated in the research (U14: n=17; U15: n=19). The athletes followed three different warm-up protocols: SMR only, dynamic stretching only, and a combination of both. Performance indicators were measured by using the Finger Floor Test and the Vertical Jump Test, both before and after the warm-up. Non-parametric statistical analysis (Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis tests) revealed a significant improvement in the forward flexion test in both age groups: in the U14 group the first measurement was 16.96 ± 10.45 cm and the second measurement was 15.21 ± 9.77 cm (p < 0.001), while in the U15 group the first measurement was 11.92 ± 11.06 cm and the second measurement was 10.52 ± 10.06 cm (p < 0.001). No statistically significant change was observed in jump height. The study confirmed that even a short warm-up intervention can improve flexibility, but using SMR or dynamic stretching alone is not sufficient for performance enhancement.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2025): Recreation

Section

Recreational training
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Mónika Szigethy, Eötvös Loránd University

Assistant Professor

MTTM ID:10069780

Google Scholar ID: 10069780

Enikő Hurtik-Tóth, Eötvös Loránd University

Assistant professor

Faculty of Education and Psychology Institute of Sport Sciences-Szombathely

MTMT ID: 10057406

How to Cite

Szigethy, M., & Hurtik-Tóth, E. (2025). Comparative Effects of SMR Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Forward Flexion and Jump Height in U14–U15 Football Players. Recreation, 15(3), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.21486/recreation.2025.15.3.3

References

Adstrum, S., Hedley, G., Schleip, R., Stecco, C. & Yucesoy, C. A. (2017). Defining the fascial system. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 21(1), 173-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.11.003

Anderson, B. L., Harter, R. A. & Farnsworth, J. L. (2020). The Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Athletic Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 30(3), 501–506. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0059

Biróné I. K. & Hurtik-Tóth, E. (2024). Joint Health, Balanced Everyday Activity: Benefits of Functional Training. Recreation, 14(4), 15-19. https://doi.org/10.21486/recreation.2024.14.4.3

Cheatham, S. W., Kolber, M. J., Cain, M., & Lee, M. (2015). The effects of self‐myofascial release using a foam roll or roller massager on joint range of motion, muscle recovery, and performance: a systematic review. International journal of sports physical therapy, 10(6), 827.

Earls, J. & Myers, T., (2017). Fascial Release for Structural Balance, Revised Edition: Putting the Theory of Anatomy Trains into Practice. North Atlantic Books.

Fede, C.; Angelini, A.; Stern, R.; Macchi, V.; Porzionato, A.; Ruggieri, P.; De Caro, R. & Stecco, C. (2018). Quantification of Hyaluronan in Human Fasciae: Variations with Function and Anatomical Site. Journal of Anatomy, 233, 552–556. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12866

Gerdijan, N., Perić, D., Ljubojević, A. & Vukić, Ž. (2021). Effects of Static and Dynamic Stretching Exercises on Unilateral Hamstring to Quadriceps Strength Ratio. Advances in Physical Education, 11(01), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2021.111007

Isa, K. A., Wan Norman, W. M. N., Ismail, M. A. & Ahmad Sidiki, A. F. S. (2020). The acute effects of self-myofascial release (SMR) using rolling bar on increasing musculoskeletal flexibility. GADING Journal of Science and Technology, 3(2), 94–98. https://doi.org/10.24191/gjst.v3i2.46008

Konrad, A., Tilp, M. & Nakamura, M. (2021). A comparison of the effects of foam rolling and stretching on physical performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 720531. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2019.1686363

Konrad, A., Nakamura, M., & Behm, D. G. (2022). The effects of foam rolling training on performance parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis including controlled and randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11638. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811638

Krause, F., Wilke, J., Niederer, D., Vogt, L. & Banzer, W. (2019). Acute effects of foam rolling on passive stiffness, stretch sensation and fascial sliding: A randomized controlled trial. Human movement science, 67, 102514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2019.102514

MacDonald, G. Z., Penney, M. D., Mullaley, M. E., Cuconato, A. L., Drake, C. D., Behm, D. G. & Button, D. C. (2013). An acute bout of self-myofascial release increases range of motion without a subsequent decrease in muscle activation or force. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27(3), 812-821. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825c2bc1

Myers, T. W. (2001). Anatomy trains: Myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists. Churchill Livingstone.

Pandey, O. & Kulkarni, N. (2021). Outcome of foam rolling on hamstring flexibility – scoping review. Journal of Science and Technology, 6(3) 48–52.

Popelka, J. & Pivovarniček, P. (2022). The effect comparison of foam rolling and dynamic stretching on performance in motion tests by young volleyball players: a pilot study. Physical Activity Review, 10(2), 140–149. https://doi.org/10.16926/par.2022.10.28

Pratt, R. L. (2021). Hyaluronan and the fascial frontier. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(13), 6845. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136845

Stecco, C. & Schleip, R. (2016). A fascia and the fascial system. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 20(1), 139-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.11.012

Su, H., Chang, N.-J., Wu, W.-L., Guo, L.-Y. & Chu, I.-H. (2017). Acute effects of foam rolling, static stretching, and dynamic stretching during warm-ups on muscular flexibility and strength in young adults. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 26(6), 469–477. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2016-0103

Sullivan, K. M., Silvey, D. B., Button, D. C. & Behm, D. G. (2013). Roller‐massager application to the hamstrings increases sit‐and‐reach range of motion within five to ten seconds without performance impairments. International journal of sports physical therapy, 8(3), 228.

Trębacz, H., & Barzycka, A. (2023). Mechanical properties and functions of elastin: an overview. Biomolecules, 13(3), 574. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13030574

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.