1. Introduction
muscle injuries, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
RECURRENCE
These authors contributed equally to this work.Background: the use of stretching techniques in the sports world is frequent and common thanks to their many effects. One of the main benefits of stretching is an increased range of motion (ROM). Recently, the use of a foam roller has spread in sports practice due to benefits that are similar to those of shoes observed in stretching. The objective of the following study was to compare the results of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF) with foam rolling (FR). Methods: The design of the study was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrial.gov NCT05134883), and the participants were 80 healthy young athletes. The range of motion was evaluated with a modified sit-and-reach test before, during (at 30 s), and at the end of the intervention (at 2 min). The subject’s discomfort sensation was measured using the Borg scale. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d coefficient. Volunteers were randomized into the PNF group or FR group. Results: the differences were statistically significant (Hamstring muscle injuries are frequent in many sports and are associated with a high rate of recurrence [Although there is no consensus in the literature [Traditionally, stretching techniques have been used to improve flexibility, with an understanding of this property as the range of motion (ROM) availed in a joint. Although there is no widespread consensus on what type of stretching is the most effective, the literature appears to report a greater increase in the ROM in the case of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching techniques when compared to other stretching techniques [Another popular technique in rehabilitation and fitness to increase the ROM is foam rolling (FR), also known in the literature as self-roller release or myofascial rolling. This flexibility effect of FR can be local or distant [Previous research comparing the acute effects of stretching and foam rolling on the ROM have either reported no difference between stretching and FR [