Enhancing Ankle Range of Motion through Foam Rolling in Combination with Static Stretching
January, 2015 Student: Erwin Josh Discaya
Adviser: Professor Ken Huang
Abstract
A new technique of myofascial release (MFR) therapy that uses a foam roller termed
self-myofascial release (SMR) has become of increasingly common practice for treating softtissue
restrictions. SMR works under the same principles as myofascial release which is to
help reduce restrictive barriers or fibrous adhesions seen between layers of fascial tissue.
This research aims to determine the effect of foam rolling on ankle range of motion
(ROM). The participants were 15 students with ankle injury from Chinese Culture
University. A two-way repeated measure ANOVA with the alpha level set at p < .05 was
used to determine if there is any significant difference in the ankle range of motion. The
result showed that foam rolling has no significant effect on enhancing ankle ROM. It is
concluded in this study that foam rolling has little to no significant effect on the ankle range
of motion of individuals who have injured ankles with some factors that should be taken into
consideration and be noted for future study.
