Foam rolling as a warm-up: The effect on lower extremity flexibility compared to aerobic and stretching protocols
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Foam rolling has recently become popular in the realms of athletic training, strength and conditioning, and fitness enthusiasts as a means to decrease stiffness, improve flexibility, and manage pain . However, little is known about the physiological effects of foam rolling or its role in improving flexibility pre- or post-exercise. The purpose of this project is to examine and compare the effects of foam rolling, aerobic cycling, and stretching on lower extremity flexibility. Nineteen participants (10 female, 9 male) volunteered to test sit-and-reach flexibility after performing four different warm-up protocols on different days. The warm-up protocols were: Foam Rolling for five minutes, aerobic cycling for five minutes, stretching for five minutes, or lying supine for five minutes (control). A one-way repeated measures ANOVA test was used to determine significant difference (p > 0.05) compared to the control group. Results indicate that foam rolling, cycling, and stretching significantly improved lower body sit-and-reach scores over the control. No significant differences were found between protocols.
Author: Jeremy Ray Bushong
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W126216994