scholarly journals The Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Athletic Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Bethany L. Anderson ◽  
Rod A. Harter ◽  
James L. Farnsworth

Clinical Scenario: Dynamic stretching and foam rolling are commonly used by athletes to reduce injury and enhance recovery, thereby improving athletic performance. In contrast to dynamic stretching, little research has been conducted on the acute effects of foam rolling as part of the preexercise warm-up routine. Previously, when researchers implemented foam rolling with static stretching as a warm-up, some found that foam rolling slightly improved flexibility and performance outcomes. More recent research has shown that dynamic stretching is favorable to static stretching when used as a warm-up strategy. Therefore, adding foam rolling to dynamic stretching is hypothesized to create more significant improvements in flexibility and performance compared with adding foam rolling to static stretching. Focused Clinical Question: In active individuals, does foam rolling in addition to dynamic stretching lead to enhanced performance compared with dynamic stretching alone? Summary of Key Findings: Four randomized controlled trials were included. Two studies concluded that the addition of foam rolling to dynamic stretching increased vertical jump height more than dynamic stretching alone, while 2 studies found no difference between these treatment groups. Two studies concluded that the addition of foam rolling increased agility performance compared with dynamic stretching alone, while one study found no difference between treatment groups and one study did not measure agility. All 4 studies reviewed concluded that foam rolling did not improve flexibility more than dynamic stretching alone. Clinical Bottom Line: Foam rolling in conjunction with dynamic stretching may further improve an athlete’s agility and power output; however, little improvement has been observed with foam rolling in regard to athlete flexibility when compared with completing dynamic stretching programs alone. Strength of Recommendation: Inconsistent findings from 4 randomized controlled trials suggest there is Grade C evidence to support the inclusion of foam rolling in a dynamic warm-up.

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 469-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsuan Su ◽  
Nai-Jen Chang ◽  
Wen-Lan Wu ◽  
Lan-Yuen Guo ◽  
I-Hua Chu

Context:Foam rolling has been proposed to improve muscle function, performance, and joint range of motion (ROM). However, whether a foam rolling protocol can be adopted as a warm-up to improve flexibility and muscle strength is unclear.Objectives:To examine and compare the acute effects of foam rolling, static stretching, and dynamic stretching used as part of a warm-up on flexibility and muscle strength of knee flexion and extension.Design:Crossover study.Setting:University research laboratory.Participants:15 male and 15 female college students (age 21.43 ± 1.48 y, weight 65.13 ± 12.29 kg, height 166.90 ± 6.99 cm).Main Outcome Measures:Isokinetic peak torque was measured during knee extension and flexion at an angular velocity of 60°/second. Flexibility of the quadriceps was assessed by the modified Thomas test, while flexibility of the hamstrings was assessed using the sit-and-reach test. The 3 interventions were performed by all participants in random order on 3 days separated by 48–72 hours.Results:The flexibility test scores improved significantly more after foam rolling as compared with static and dynamic stretching. With regard to muscle strength, only knee extension peak torque (pre vs. postintervention) improved significantly after the dynamic stretching and foam rolling, but not after static stretching. Knee flexion peak torque remained unchanged.Conclusions:Foam rolling is more effective than static and dynamic stretching in acutely increasing flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings without hampering muscle strength, and may be recommended as part of a warm-up in healthy young adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Bulent Turna ◽  
Asuman Sahan ◽  
Bahar Yilmaz

The study investigates the acute effects of dynamic and static stretching on the tennis serve targeting performance of amateur tennis players. Twenty male athletes who were between the ages of 16-24 years and played tennis for at least 1 year (21.40±2.16 years, 181±0.06 cm, 71.85±7.42 kg, tennis playing time 1.55±0.88 years) voluntarily participated in the study.Prior to the pre-tests and after applying the traditional warm-up protocol, serve targeting test (STT) was applied to all participants. In the post-tests, STT was used after applying three different warm-up methods on three different days (48-hour rest interval). The warm-up stages included No Treatment (NT) (jogging, rally), Static Stretching (SS) and Dynamic Stretching (DS).In the statistical analysis, the homogeneity of the data was investigated using the Shapiro Wilk test. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test results of the non-homogeneous data; Friedman test was used to compare the three different stretching methods with each other; in the paired comparisons of the groups, the paired samples t-test was used for the homogenous data and Wilcoxon test was used for the non-homogeneous data. In conclusion, stretching exercises before serving increased the serve targeting performance and the increase in the dynamic stretching exercises was higher than that in static stretching exercises.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Erhan Seçer ◽  
Derya Özer Kaya

Context: Dynamic stretching (DS) is typically suggested during warm-up protocols. Also, foam rolling (FR), which is applied with a foam cylinder, has increased popularity in recent years. However, the combined effects of DS and FR in improving flexibility, dynamic balance, and agility performance are unclear in current literature. Therefore, this study aim to evaluate and compare the acute effects of DS as well as DS followed by FR (DS + FR) on flexibility, dynamic balance, and agility in male soccer players. Design: This study was a crossover study with a within-subject design. Methods: Thirty volunteer male soccer players (mean age 18.80 [0.66] y) were included in the study. Each participant performed the 2 sessions (DS and DS + FR) on separate occasions in a randomized order, with an interval of 72 hours. All sessions were performed in the indoor gym at the sports club. Flexibility was assessed by sit-and-reach test, dynamic balance was assessed by Y balance test, and agility was assessed by t test. Results: Compared with the pretest results, significant improvement in flexibility was observed in both groups (change = 0.55, percentage change = 2.05, effect size [ES] = 0.15, P = .041; change = 0.64, percentage change = 2.36, ES = 0.20, P = .025; respectively). Balance scores did not significantly improve in either group (change = 0.40, percentage change = 0.45, ES = 0.09, P = .342; change = 0.93, percentage change = 1.02, ES = 0.23, P = .103; respectively). Agility performance significantly improved in both groups (change = −0.12, percentage change = −1.18, ES = 0.19, P = .021; change = −0.21, percentage change = −2.18, ES = 0.38, P = .005; respectively). Conclusions: Both DS and DS + FR improved flexibility and agility and did not affect balance. DS + FR was not superior to DS at improving flexibility and agility as compared only with DS. Both methods are effective warm-up protocols to augment factors related to injury risk and performance. It seems that further studies that investigate the combined effects of FR and DS are needed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Fang-Yu Hsu ◽  
Kuei-Lan Tsai ◽  
Chia-Lun Lee ◽  
Wen-Dien Chang ◽  
Nai-Jen Chang

Context: Warm-up exercise is an essential preexercise routine for athletes to optimize performance. However, the benefits of combined warm-up protocols remain unclear. Objective: This comparative study investigated the acute effects of dynamic stretching (DS) followed by static stretching (SS), self-myofascial release using a foam rolling (FR) device, or vibration foam rolling (VFR) as a warm-up exercise to improve flexibility, power, agility, and specific skills in elite table tennis players. Design: A crossover study. Setting: University. Participants: Twenty-three elite table tennis players. Interventions: Players completed 3 different interventions in a random order (DS + SS, DS + FR, and DS + VFR). The target muscle groups included the bilateral posterior calf, posterior thigh, anterior thigh, back, and shoulder. Main Outcome Measures: Sit-and-reach test for flexibility, board jump test for lower-extremity power, medicine ball throw test for upper-extremity power, Edgren Side Step Test for agility, and ball speed of table tennis was assessed before and after intervention. Results: After intervention, significant increases in flexibility (15.2%, 20.4%, and 23.8%); lower-limb power (4.5%, 6.6%, and 6.3%); upper-limb power (9.6%, 8.5%, and 9.1%); and ball speed (7.4%, 7.6%, and 7.7%) were observed for DS + SS, DS + FR, and DS + VFR, respectively (all P < .001). In addition, only DS coupled with FR (5.1%) and DS in conjunction with VFR (2.7%) significantly improved agility (P < .001). However, no significant improvements in agility were observed after DS + SS. In addition, no one protocol was superior to the other in all outcomes. Conclusion: The authors suggest that a combination of DS with FR or VFR as warm-up exercises significantly improved flexibility, power, ball speed, in addition to agility in elite table tennis players. Coach and athletic professionals may take this information into account for choosing more effective warm-up protocols to enhance performance.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren B. Young

Static stretching (SS) is widely used in warm-ups before training and competition. A growing amount of research, however, has demonstrated that SS can impair muscle performance, leading to a reevaluation of optimal warm-up protocols. This commentary discusses many of the methodological issues that can influence conclusions about the acute effects of SS on performance. One difficulty in interpreting the literature is the lack of control or communication about the volume and intensity of the various stretching treatments used. Another major issue is the failure of many researchers to evaluate SS as it is used in practice, particularly the interaction with the other general and sport-specific components of the warm-up. Acute warm-up effects on performance should be considered in conjunction with potential effects on injury prevention. Future directions in research include optimizing general and sport-specific warm-ups, time course of physiological and performance effects, and individualization of warm-ups according to fitness and skill level.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evans Y. K. Ashigbi ◽  
Florian Giesche ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
David A. Groneberg ◽  
Daniel Niederer

Abstract BackgroundIn team-sports such as football or basketball, athletes need to rapidly adapt their motor plans and actions to unanticipated changes in the environment. Unanticipated jump-landing tasks have been found to elevate the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries compared to an anticipated condition. ACL-reconstructed individuals may have greater difficulties to maintain neuromuscular control under unanticipated conditions exposing them to a higher reinjury risk during the game. The planned trial aims to investigate the acute effects of a team-sport specific injury prevention programme on potential ACL reinjury risk factors under anticipated and unanticipated jump-landings.Methods and design:Single center randomized controlled crossover trial. Female and male ACL-reconstructed participants cleared for return to sports (≥ 6 months and ≤ 24 months post-reconstruction) will be included. In a randomized sequence and with a washout phase of one week in between, the participants will perform an injury preventive warm-up protocol (PEP; strengthening, flexibility, plyometry and agility) and a standard warm-up program (bicycle ergometer). Both interventions will last for 12 minutes and will be conducted at moderate intensity (BORG scale: 12 to 14). After each warm-up, participants will perform counter movement jumps with single-leg landings on a force plate. Prior to the jump, a left or right footprint (equally distributed) will be indicated on a screen. Under the anticipated condition, the participants will be informed before the jump that the displayed footprint will not change after take-off. Under the unanticipated condition, the participants will not know whether the target landing side will remain the same (consistent with pre-movement expectations) or change (inconsistent). Under both unanticipated conditions, this information will be displayed 0.1 second after take-off and thus approximately 0.3 seconds before landing.Parametric/non-parametric crossover-analyses (carryover-tests and crossover test) for between-conditions comparisons will be applied. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, identification number DRKS00016942. Registered on May 24, 2019.


2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catriona M. Mc Daid ◽  
Suzanne Hartley ◽  
Anne-Marie Bagnall ◽  
Gill Ritchie ◽  
Kate Light ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the evidence for treatments for retinoblastoma in children.Methods: Seventeen electronic databases were searched. Two reviewers independently selected studies. Studies of participants diagnosed with childhood retinoblastoma, any interventions, and all clinical outcomes were eligible. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials and cohort studies with clear comparisons between treatment groups were included. Methodological quality was assessed.Results: Thirty-one observational comparative studies were included, of which twenty-seven were retrospective. The methodological quality was generally poor, with a high risk of selection bias in all studies. Although there were high levels of treatment success in many of the studies, due to the limitations of the evidence identified, it was not possible to make meaningful and robust conclusions about the relative effectiveness of different treatment approaches for retinoblastoma in children.Conclusions: Good quality randomized controlled trials are required. Where controlled trials are not feasible, only high quality prospective, nonrandomized studies should be given consideration, due to the generally higher risk of bias in retrospective studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S304-S305
Author(s):  
P. Püsök ◽  
A. Kollarics ◽  
Á. Simon-Ugron ◽  
M. Gyuró ◽  
B. Szőts ◽  
...  

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theophanis Siatras ◽  
Georgios Papadopoulos ◽  
Dimitra Mameletzi ◽  
Vasilios Gerodimos ◽  
Spiros Kellis

Although warm-up and stretching exercises are routinely performed by gymnasts, it is suggested that stretching immediately prior to an activity might affect negatively the athletic performance. The focus of this investigation was on the acute effect of a protocol, including warm-up and static and dynamic stretching exercises, on speed during vaulting in gymnastics. Eleven boys were asked to perform three different protocols consisting of warm-up, warm-up and static stretching and warm-up and dynamic stretching, on three nonconsecutive days. Each protocol was followed by a “handspring” vault. One-way analysis of variance for repeated-measures showed a significant difference in gymnasts’ speed, following the different protocols. Tukey’s post hoc analysis revealed that gymnasts mean speed during the run of vault was significantly decreased after the application of the static stretching protocol. The findings of the present study indicate the inhibitory role of an acute static stretching in running speed in young gymnasts.


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