Acute Effect of Fascial Treatments on Performance in Adolescent Athletes

60 adolescent athletes aged between 13-20 will be included in the study to be carried out at Galatasaray Taç Sports Facilities. Athletes will be divided into three groups by randomization: foam roller group, percussive therapy group and control group. For flexibility before fascial applications are applied to athletes; sit-and-reach test for agility performance; agility T test for jumping performance; CMJ (Counter movement jump) test will be performed. The sit-reach test will be repeated twice and the farthest point the athlete can reach will be recorded. In the CMJ test, the athlete will make 3 jumps with 30-second intervals and the highest value will be recorded. The t test will be repeated times and the best performance will be recorded. All athletes will have a general warm-up on a vertical bike (Monark Peak Bike, Sweden) with 74 watts (1.5 kg, 50 rpm) for five minutes. The foam roller group will start applying the foam roller one minute after the general warm-up is completed, and this application will be applied bilaterally for 30 seconds, from distal to proximal and from proximal to distal, for the gastrocnemius, quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals muscles, respectively. For foam roller application, low density foam rollers will be used. After the application, the athletes will be subjected to CMJ, T agility and sit-reach tests, respectively. The percussive therapy group will be applied by the physiotherapist one minute after the general warm-up is completed, and this application will be applied bilaterally for 30 seconds, from distal to proximal and from proximal to distal, for the gastrocnemius, quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals muscles, respectively. Percussive therapy will be applied using the Hypervolt device (Hyperice, California, USA) at a frequency of 40 Hz (2nd level), with an amplitude of 12 mm and a soft cap. After the application, the athletes will be subjected to CMJ, T agility and sit-reach tests, respectively. For the control group, CMJ, T agility and sit-reach tests will be performed again after the general warm-up.

Criteria for inclusion of athletes in the study; It was determined as having been exercising regularly for the last three months, exercising at least eight hours a week, and not having a lower extremity injury or surgical operation that would affect the test results. In addition, care was taken to ensure that they did not have any diabetes, epilepsy, neurological or neuromuscular health problems that would prevent them from participating in the test protocols explained in the details of the study. Athletes will be asked not to engage in strenuous physical activities and not to consume food, drinks or alcohol containing caffeine or similar stimulants for at least 24 hours before the test sessions.

Inclusion criteria

• Having been playing volleyball for at least 2 years
• Having been training for at least the last month
• Training at least 8-10 hours a week
• No health problems that may prevent participation in the test protocol

Exclusion criteria

• Having had a previous injury in the lower extremity
• Having a condition that causes acute or chronic pain in the lower extremity
• Having had a surgical operation on the lower extremity