Effectiveness of Foam Rolling in Combination with a Static Stretching Protocol of the Hamstrings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a foam rolling protocol in combination with a static stretching protocol. For this human subjects approved study, 46 healthy subjects were recruited with no history of lower or upper extremity injury in the 6 months prior to study participation. Forty subjects (male: n = 14, age = 21.29� 2.58 yrs, ht = 176.62� 5.28 cm, mass = 73.96� 16.9 kg; female: n = 26, age = 21.08� 2.91 yrs, ht = 167.05� 6.19 cm, mass = 73.62� 11.52 kg) completed all requirements of the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups. Subjects received baseline hip range of motion (ROM) measurements before performing either a; stretching only, foam rolling and stretching, foam rolling only, or control protocol. Immediately after completion post hip ROM values were obtained. Subjects visited the lab 6 times over a two week period. Regardless of group hip ROM increased over time (P < .003). Those subjects receiving the foam and stretch treatment had the greatest increase in hip ROM (P < .05). Those subjects receiving the stretch only, foam and stretch, and foam only had greater hip ROM values than controls (P < .05). Pre hip ROM measurements for subjects in the foam and stretch were greater than those in the stretch only group (P < .05).