A systematic review of the chronic effects of self-myofascial release on athletic performance

Abstract

Background

Self-myofascial release (SMR) is widely used by athletes and coaches during warm up and recovery to increase joint range of motion. Its long term effects on performance are less clear.

Objective

To evaluate the chronic effects, defined as at least 4 weeks, of SMR interventions on athletes physical fitness and sport specific performance, focusing on flexibility, strength, balance, and skill execution.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched in February 2025 in line with PRISMA.

Eligibility criteria

Experimental studies in peer reviewed English journals that examined SMR for 4 weeks or longer and reported performance related outcomes in athletes.

Results

Of 1391 records screened, 12 studies met inclusion, totaling 388 athletes aged 12–30 from soccer, tennis, water polo, volleyball, and mixed sports. Most studies reported significant gains in joint mobility, especially hip and shoulder flexibility. Several studies also showed moderate improvements in strength, such as maximal voluntary contraction and jump height, and in dynamic balance measured by the Y-Balance Test. Effects on static balance, isokinetic strength across all planes, and sport specific skills such as serve speed or sprint swimming were variable and often non significant.

Conclusion

Chronic SMR appears effective for improving flexibility and dynamic balance in athletes and may confer additional benefits for strength and motor control. Heterogeneity in protocols, comparators, and outcome measures, along with modest methodological quality, limits firm conclusions. More high quality, sport specific trials are needed to define optimal SMR parameters across training phases.