THE MYOFASCIAL SYSTEM AND MINIMIZING THE RISK OS INJURY IN SPORT

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of myofascial self-release on muscle mechanical properties, performance, neuromuscular function, and injury risk reduction in young soccer players. The hypothesis is a reduction in the number of injuries in the experimental group, as well as improvements in muscle mechanical properties, performance, and neuromuscular function in young soccer players.The study will be a randomized clinical trial with a convenience sample of approximately 65 male athletes aged between 14 and 18 years, divided into control and experimental groups. Athletes with no history of injury in the three months prior to the study will be included, while those with a history of previous surgery or lower limb fractures in the past five years, or who are undergoing physiotherapy at the time of the study, will be excluded.Muscle mechanical properties (myotonometry), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (Weight Bearing Lunge Test), motor control (Y Balance Test), and the reactive strength index (Myjump App) will be assessed before, immediately after, and at 8 and 16 weeks post-intervention. Myofascial self-release will be performed bilaterally on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves for 2 minutes per region, twice a week, using a structured massage roller. All procedures will be demonstrated beforehand during the study. For the Myoton procedure, the athlete will simply lie in a supine and prone position on the examination table. The athlete will only be asked to remain still in the "face-up" or "face-down" position, feeling only the light contact of the device's probe, which is painless and will be demonstrated beforehand. In the Y Balance Test, athletes will be asked to balance on one foot atop a grid placed on the floor, with their hands on their hips, and reach as far as possible with the non-supporting leg in three marked directions on the floor, without lifting the heel of the supporting leg. For the Ankle Range