Effect of Acute Self-Myofascial Release on Pain and Exercise Performance for Cycling Club Members with Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome

Abstract

Cycling is a popular sport, and the cycling population and prevalence of related injuries and diseases increase simultaneously. Iliotibial band friction syndrome is a common chronic overuse injury caused by repetitive knee use in cycling. Self-myofascial release using foam rollers is an effective intervention for this syndrome; however, studies reporting positive results on self-myofascial release in cycling are limited. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of self-myofascial release on pain and iliotibial band flexibility, heart rate, and exercise performance (cadence, power, and record) in adult male cyclists with iliotibial band friction syndrome. We evaluated the pain and exercise ability of the control (n = 11) and self-myofascial release (n = 11) groups before and after cycling twice. Significant differences were observed in the pain scale, the iliotibial band flexibility, and cycling pain and power. The posterior cadence of the self-myofascial release group was 3.2% higher than that of the control group. The control group’s record time increased by 74.64 s in the second cycling session compared to the first cycling session, while that of the self-myofascial release group decreased by 30.91 s in the second cycling session compared to the first cycling session. Self-myofascial release is effective in relieving pain and may improve cycling performance by increasing the iliotibial band flexibility.

Stretching and Releasing of Iliotibial Band Complex in Patients with Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Narrative Review

“…Foam rolling study interventions for ITBS or ITB shortness management usually involve rolling over the ITB tissue only [ 29 , 32 , 38 ]. However, Park et al [ 39 ] created a program of independent myofascial release using a foam roller for adult male cyclists with ITBS, treating the following tissues: Triceps surae, Tibialis anterior, Quadriceps femoris, Tensor fasciae latae, and Gluteus maximus. While in some studies [ 27 ] participants performed a more dynamic foam rolling, moving the body back and forth over the roller, in other studies [ 36 , 38 ] participants had to find the painful area or abnormally tender point and hold a static position for a period of time.…”

“…While in some studies [ 27 ] participants performed a more dynamic foam rolling, moving the body back and forth over the roller, in other studies [ 36 , 38 ] participants had to find the painful area or abnormally tender point and hold a static position for a period of time. Most studies that examined the effects of ITB–TFL complex release used the duration of a foam rolling session of one to five min [ 27 , 29 , 32 , 36 , 37 ], with the exception of Park et al [ 39 ], whose foam rolling session lasted 20 min. A longer duration of their intervention is to be expected, since they treated five different muscles in one session.…”

“…Regarding foam rolling, the research is fairly consistent, and indicates acute and long-term improvements in pain scores in ITBS patients. Park et al [ 39 ] examined the acute effects of a 20 min foam rolling treatment in adult male cyclists with ITBS, and found a significant reduction in pain felt during the second round of cycling after foam rolling compared to pain felt during the first round of cycling performed without prior to the intervention. In addition, they noted a significant decrease in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores measured by the Nobel compression test after the second cycling round.…”

“…In male cyclists diagnosed with ITBS, one bout of foam rolling has been shown to significantly increase hip adduction RoM (assessed in the Ober’s test position), which may be due, at least in part, to reduced stiffness of the ITB [ 39 ]. To our knowledge, there are no other studies that have examined changes in hip mobility after foam rolling or stretching interventions in ITBS patients.…”

Response to Mechanical Properties and Physiological Challenges of Fascia: Diagnosis and Rehabilitative Therapeutic Intervention for Myofascial System Disorders

“…SMFR is used to prevent injuries and maintain performance in sports [ 136 , 137 ]. For example, in soccer, in the early period after half-time, both physical and cognitive performance is reduced, and the risk of injury increases [ 138 ].…”