Does Foam Rolling Improve Recovery?
Foam rolling the hamstrings of soccer players.
This study investigated how foam rolling the hamstrings affected the contractile properties of the knee muscles in soccer players after intense exercise.
Key Points
Foam rolling is a popular technique for muscle relaxation in athletes
The study examined its effects on knee muscle contractile properties and hamstring flexibility
20 male professional soccer players participated in the research
Aim and Methods
The aim was to determine how foam rolling the hamstrings impacts knee muscle contractile properties and hamstring extensibility in soccer players after a sport-specific exercise test.
Methods:
Participants performed a Yo-Yo interval test to simulate match fatigue
Muscle contractile properties were measured using tensiomyography before and after the test
The experimental group then performed 5 x 45-second bouts of hamstring foam rolling
Measurements were retaken after foam rolling or rest (control group)
Results
Foam rolling had no statistically significant effect on any measured muscle properties
There were no differences in muscle contraction characteristics between the foam rolling and control groups
Hamstring flexibility (knee extension range) did not differ between groups
