Acute Comparative Effect of Foam Rolling and Static Stretching on Range of Motion in Rowers

Jose M. Jimenez-Olmedo,Marta Abad-Lopez,Basilio Pueo,Alfonso Penichet-Tomas

doi:10.3390/su13073631

Abstract

Rowers’ anthropometric characteristics and flexibility are fundamental to increase stroke amplitude and optimize power transfer. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of foam rolling and static stretching on the range of motion over time. Eight university rowers (24.8 ± 3.4 yrs., height 182.3 ± 6.5 cm, body mass 79.3 ± 4.6 kg) participated in an alternating treatment design study with two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The sit and reach test was used to measure the range of motion. Both in the foam rolling and in the static stretching method, a pre-test (T0), a post-test (T1), and a post-15-min test (T2) were performed. A significant effect was observed on the range of motion over time (p < 0.001), but not for time x method interaction (p = 0.680). Significant differences were found between T0 and T1 with foam rolling and static stretching (p < 0.001, d = 0.4); p < 0.001, d = 0.6). The differences between T0 and T2 were also significant with both methods (p = 0.001, d = 0.4; p < 0.001, d = 0.4). However, no significant difference was observed between T1 and T2 (p = 1.000, d = 0.1; p = 0.089, d = 0.2). Foam roller and static stretching seem to be effective methods to improve the range of motion but there seems to be no differences between them.

Highlights

Flexibility is the range of motion of a joint or set of joints and is influenced by their component muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones [1]
Several studies have compared foam rolling and static stretching, as well as other myofascial release methods [9], finding that foam roller yields a greater increase in range of motion than static stretching and improves flexibility and recovery by reducing muscle pain [5]
A two-way repeated me Results were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences

Summary

Introduction

Flexibility is the range of motion of a joint or set of joints and is influenced by their component muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones [1]. Foam rolling and manual massages seem to influence the manipulated muscle more directly It appears to increase motor recovery with similar effects during warm-up and post-exercise [7]. Several studies have compared foam rolling and static stretching, as well as other myofascial release methods [9], finding that foam roller yields a greater increase in range of motion than static stretching and improves flexibility and recovery by reducing muscle pain [5]. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations This technique seems to increase anti-inflammatory proteins, reduce proteins that promote inflammation, favoring muscle recovery and better performance [11], and increases blood lactate clearance, and leads to regenerate psychological characteristics during short-term compacted tournaments [12]

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