Abstract
Background: Foam rolling is a popular activity utilized by strength and conditioning coaches as it is believed to increase muscle length and break up fibrous adhesions located in connective tissue. However, there is little research investigating the effects of foam rolling on athletic performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lower body foam rolling on vertical jump performance. Methods: Twenty males (age 24.05 ± 2.02 years; height 177.43 ± 6.31 cm; mass 81.41 ± 8.76 kg) volunteered to participate. Subjects completed three days of testing, separated by at least twenty-four hours. Day one consisted of baseline vertical jumps on a force plate, followed by familiarization with foam rolling and control protocols. Subjects returned on days two and three and performed 30-second bouts of lower body foam rolling or mimicked foam rolling movements on a skateboard followed by vertical jumps on a force plate. The highest jump from each day was used for statistical analyses. Results: Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in Jump height, impulse, relative ground reaction force, or take-off velocity between conditions. Conclusion: 30-second bouts of lower body foam rolling do not improve vertical jump performance. Keywords: Dynamic Warm-Up, Foam Rolling, Vertical Jump
Highlights
Coaches, athletes, and personal trainers commonly use a warm-up prior to competition or physical activity
Recent research has suggested that foam rolling and roller massage devices might improve flexibility (Halperin et al, 2014; MacDonald et al, 2013; MacDonald et al, 2013; Mohr et al, 2014; Roylance et al, 2013; Sullivan et al, 2013)
One study found that a handheld roller massage device improved isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the plantar flexor muscles when compared to static stretching, but had no effect on electromyography (EMG) (Halperin, 2014)
Summary
Athletes, and personal trainers commonly use a warm-up prior to competition or physical activity. Similar to a foam roller, research has investigated a handheld roller massager which uses an individual’s upper body to apply force to the muscles (Sullivan, 2013) and found them to be ineffective in improving performance (Mikesky, 2002; Sullivan, 2013). Foam rolling is a popular activity utilized by strength and conditioning coaches as it is believed to increase muscle length and break up fibrous adhesions located in connective tissue. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lower body foam rolling on vertical jump performance. Subjects returned on days two and three and performed 30second bouts of lower body foam rolling or mimicked foam rolling movements on a skateboard followed by vertical jumps on a force plate. Conclusion: 30-second bouts of lower body foam rolling do not improve vertical jump performance
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