The impact of myofascial release on middle school students' sit-and-reach performance: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between Sit-and-Reach performance among Chinese adolescents and myofascial release, making a significant contribution to the field of sports science. Given the central role of student physical health in school physical education and Sit-and-Reach as a crucial indicator of adolescent flexibility, the results of this study hold broad practical and theoretical implications. 62 students from Xianlin Middle School in Hangzhou participated in a controlled group experiment, meticulously designed to record data across 8 experimental conditions. Utilizing SPSS software, we conducted ANOVA statistical analyses and post-hoc comparisons among IG1, IG2, IG3, IG4, IG5, IG6, CG1, and CG2 to ensure the reliability of our conclusions. Significant differences in student performance were observed under IG1, IG2, and IG3 conditions due to different measurement methods. Notably, the inter-group difference was most significant in Technique 1 (p < .001), followed by Technique 3 (p = .028), with Technique 2 showing the highest level of significance (p = .055). This provides scientific basis for selecting methods in physical assessments, aiding more accurate evaluations of student flexibility. The difference in performance between warm-up and non-warm-up groups was significant (p = .019), highlighting the positive impact of warm-up on Sit-and-Reach performance. This finding emphasizes the crucial role of warm-up in enhancing Sit-and-Reach scores, underscoring the importance of warm-up routines. IG4, IG5, and IG6 compared to CG2 all showed highly significant differences (p < .01), indicating that different warm-up techniques significantly influence Sit-and-Reach performance. This discovery not only provides new strategies for physical education and training but also supports personalized teaching approaches. The findings of this study are highly innovative and applicable in the field of sports science. By integrating myofascial release techniques, we can effectively enhance Sit-and-Reach performance among students, thereby improving their flexibility. This achievement not only enhances the physical health of secondary school students but also enhances their performance in sports competitions. Therefore, we recommend that physical education professionals and coaches actively incorporate myofascial release techniques into their teaching and training practices to promote comprehensive development of students' physical fitness.