Assessment of Flexibility in Young Soccer Players After Autostretching and Self-Myofascial Release for Superfi cial Back Line

Introduction: Static stretching and self-myofascial release (SMR) are often used to increase range of motion. They have grownin popularity over the past few years and are now increasingly becoming an essential part of many training programmes.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and compare the efficacy of static stretching and self-myofascialrelease in increasing the extensibility of the superficial back line on the course of the lower extremities in young soccerplayers.Materials and methods: The study included 37 soccer players between the ages of 14 and 18, who were randomly dividedinto two comparative groups using a random number generator. Group A (18 players) used autostretching, while Group B (19players) performed self-myofascial release. The procedures were performed three times a week after 10 concurrent trainingsessions. Each athlete was tested for flexibility three times (before the procedure, after the final procedure and seven days followingthe last procedure).Results: After a series of 10 workouts, a statistically significant difference was observed in the results of the tests performed in both comparative groups, which still persisted after a week. No signifi cant intergroup diff erence was found.Conclusion: Both treatments appear to be effective aids in soccer training, improving the flexibility of the superficial back line.