ReviewInternational journal of exercise science2022
Effects of Self-myofascial Release Instruments on Performance and Recovery: An Umbrella Review.
Review in International journal of exercise science, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effect of foot and ankle training combined with traditional Chinese medicine massage and self-myofascial release are effective in postoperative rehabilitation of calcaneal fractures.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Trial
- An acute bout of foam rolling of the biceps brachii does not affect upper extremity sensorimotor function: a randomized trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Trial
- Comparative Effects of an Acute Bout of Self-Myofascial Release on the Plantar Fascia Using AuramatHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Chronic Self-Myofascial Release in Road Cyclists: Effects on Cardiorespiratory Capacity, Metabolism, and Mechanical Power.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Myofascial release and fascial-targeted mechanical interventions in musculoskeletal rehabilitation: mechanisms, modalities, and integrative physiology.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Review
- The Role of Myofascial Release Techniques as an Adjunct to Other Therapies in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.Health science reports · 2025Review
- Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Stable Versus Unstable Surfaces on Unilateral Force Production and Stability in Elite Male Soccer Players.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2025Article
- Does Massage Gun or Foam Roller Use During a Warm-Up Improve Performance in Trained Athletes?Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Effectiveness of a Foam Roller Warm-Up in Professional Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2025Article
- Effects of Self-Myofascial Release on Athletes' Physical Performance: A Systematic Review.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2024Review
- The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2023Review
- Response to Mechanical Properties and Physiological Challenges of Fascia: Diagnosis and Rehabilitative Therapeutic Intervention for Myofascial System Disorders.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Self-Myofascial Release of the Foot Plantar Surface: The Effects of a Single Exercise Session on the Posterior Muscular Chain Flexibility after One Hour.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: Currently, the use of self-myofascial release (SMR) instruments is not uncommon in our society, especially in sports. The most common SMR instruments are foam rollers, roller massagers, and balls. Regardless of the instrument used, the main objectives are to enhance performance and recovery. Nevertheless, many studies point out that there is still a lack of robust scientific evidence documenting the exact mechanisms that explain its true effects, therefore some authors affirm that the reported benefits are anecdotal in nature. Objective: This overview aims to summarize, from systematic reviews, the effectiveness of SMR instruments on performance and recovery. Material and Methods: This study followed the PRISMA principles. Systematic reviews were found on the electronic databases according to an established P (healthy active individuals) I (SMR using instruments) C (other treatment, placebo, sham, or no treatment) O (performance and recovery) S (systematic reviews) search strategy. Additionally, methodological analysis was performed using R-AMSTAR. Results: Initially, it was found 15 systematic reviews. However, after methodological analysis, only 7 systematic reviews had sufficient quality to be included. From those, it was found that SMR using instruments is beneficial to enhancing short-term flexibility-related and recovery-related outcomes. Inconstant data was reported in muscular-related outcomes. Nevertheless, beyond pain during SMR, no major adverse effects were found. Different effects between time, pressure and other instrument characteristics were also found. Conclusion: SMR using instruments can be a safe intervention used in sports to enhance performance and recovery from previous training/competition or between matches.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.