Effects of Static Stretching and Self-myofascial Release on Local and Remote Range of Motion

The neck static stretching (SS) protocol consisted of four sets, each lasting 45 seconds, interspersed with 45-second recovery periods (total intervention time: 3 minutes). While seated on a chair, participants performed the stretch by gently inclining the head forward and to the left in an antero-lateral direction and assisting the movement with the contralateral (left) hand to specifically elongate the right posterolateral neck region.

For the self-myofascial release (SMR) intervention, a Theraband® roller massager was employed. The device consists of a rigid plastic core surrounded by dense foam, designed with a grooved surface to facilitate both superficial and deeper tissue stimulation. The SMR protocol comprised four sets (total intervention time: 3 minutes), during which participants executed 45 rhythmic rolling movements per set at a cadence of one roll per second. The tempo was standardized using a metronome application. For the SMR condition, the protocol included 45-second recovery intervals between sets. Participants, seated on a chair, were instructed to perform self-administered rolling on the right posterolateral neck region using the massage roller and to cover the largest possible area of the posterolateral neck region during the rolling, with the head gently inclined forward and to the left in an antero-lateral direction.