Evaluating the Impact of Foam roller and IASTM on Calf Pain and functional performance of Hockey Players

Field hockey is an intensely physical sport involving frequent bursts of speed, sudden directional changes, and prolonged training hours, all of which increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the lower limbs. Calf muscle pain, whether caused by acute trauma or chronic overuse, is one such common complaint among athletes. This study aims to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and foam rolling techniques in alleviating calf muscle pain in female field hockey players. Conducted in Ujjain city, this comparative study enrolled 20 female players aged 18–26 years suffering from bilateral calf pain. Participants were divided equally into two groups: Group A received IASTM treatment every alternate day, while Group B underwent daily foam rolling sessions over seven days. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on the first, fourth, and seventh days. Statistical analysis revealed significant pain reduction in both groups; however, the decrease in Group A was notably higher, indicating superior efficacy of IASTM over foam rolling. These findings suggest that IASTM may offer a more effective short-term intervention for sports-related calf muscle pain in female hockey players.