Incorporating Foam Rolling After a Walking Warm-up Does Not Increase Hamstring Flexibility

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-24-2020

Publication Title

Athletic Training & Sports Health Care

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a single session of foam rolling increases hamstring flexibility beyond that of a walking warm-up. METHODS: Forty-two healthy, physically active participants were divided by gender and randomly assigned to groups (30 second, 2 minute, or control). Participants completed a 5-minute walking warm-up prior to their assigned intervention. The foam rolling group participants rolled the entire length of their hamstrings. Control group participants remained stationary in a long-seated position for 2 minutes. Goniometric passive range of motion measurements were collected before warm-up, after warm-up, immediately after intervention, and 10 minutes after intervention. RESULTS: A 3 (Group) × 4 (Time) mixed model analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant interaction effect (P = .518). The main effect for Group was not significant (P =.939, η2 = 0.003, post hoc power = 0.059), but the main effect for Time was significant (P < .001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significant increases in range of motion in all three groups combined from before warm-up to after warm-up (P =.001) and from immediately after intervention to 10 minutes after intervention (P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: Although statistically significant, increases in range of motion cannot be attributed to a single session of foam rolling for either 30 seconds or 2 minutes following a 5-minute warm-up.

Disciplines

Exercise Science | Kinesiology | Life Sciences

Language

English

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