Master of Science

thesisFoam rolling and muscle stimulation has become a common practice in athletics to increase flexibility; however, there is limited research to know if these interventions produce positive outcomes. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of foam rolling and deep muscle stimulation on hip joint range of motion (ROM) over a 4-week period. The design of this study was a randomized clinical trial performed in a high school athletic training clinic. Thirty-five healthy athletes (15 male, 20 female), aged 14- 18 years old, were enrolled into the study. Participants were selected using nonprobability convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to a foam roll (n=13), deep muscle stimulation (n=13), or control group (n=8). Each intervention group received 30 seconds of treatment with a self-administered foam roller or clinician-applied Deep Muscle Stimulator, respectively, prior to a stretching protocol. The intervention was administered to the hamstring musculature from the ischial tuberosity to the posterior aspect of the knee with an instruction to focus on trigger points. Following the intervention, all groups performed a hamstring stretching protocol consisting of 2 stretches for 3 sets of 20 seconds each. The certified athletic trainer collected pre- and postintervention range of motion measurements and the change over four weeks was calculated. There was no difference between treatment groups during the active knee extension test (p=0.104) and sit and reach (p= 0.789). In a single high school population, iv there was no benefit to adding foam rolling or deep muscle stimulation to a hip range of motion static stretching protocol