Justification of the effectiveness of the technique of myofascial self-massage using tennis balls in fitness

• Published in: Zdorov'i︠a︡, sport, reabilitat︠s︡ii︠a Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 53 - 62
• Main Authors: Kovaleva, L. A., Kovalev, V. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University 01.10.2019
• Subjects: fitness; flexibility; jumping ability; myofascial self-massage; tennis ball
• ISSN: 2520-2677; 2520-2685
• DOI: 10.34142/HSR.2019.05.03.06

Purpose: experimental substantiation of the effectiveness of myofascial self-massage techniques using tennis balls in fitness. Material and Methods. The study involved 20 girls aged 20-25 years, engaged in fitness 3 times a week in the evening in the same group. The control and experimental groups trained on identical programs during October 2018 - March 2019. The difference was that after training, participants in the experimental group, under the guidance of a methodologist, performed myofascial self-massage of the muscles of the back surface of the body. The following tests were used: Questionnaire on the Borg scale, method for measuring flexibility, method for changing the height of the jump, methods for determining the number of jumps, functional test Shtange. Intergroup differences were determined by tests. Results. The application of this technique gave a significant (p <0.05) improvement in flexibility indicators in the experimental group by 2.49 times. While in the control group, this indicator improved by 1, 59 times. Also in the experimental group, jumping indicators improved, namely the jump height by 28% of the initial indicators and the number of jumps by 12.6%. Based on the questionnaire data, the subjects of the experimental group improved sleep quality and tolerance of power loads. Conclusion. The use of myofascial self-massage using tennis balls is a unique, affordable and effective way to improve physical performance. The results obtained indicate the positive impact of this technique and the appropriateness of its application in the process of training an athlete to optimize the functional state, improve flexibility and jumping ability.