Publications

Foam rolling have gained popularity among elite athletes, but the effect of the speed parameter of foam rolling has not yet been determined. Our objective was to investigate the impact of different application speeds of foam roller on the mechanical properties of the quadriceps femoris muscle.

Eighteen male professional basketball athletes (age 23 ± 4 years, body mass index 24.43 ± 1.59 kg/m2) participated in this study. We used a crossover design to randomize the order of the treatment speeds (30 beats per minute-FAST, 15 beats per minute-SLOW, and a self-determined speed-SELF) with a one-week washout period between each session. We measured dominant quadriceps femoris muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness using the MyotonPRO device before and after the interventions.

We found that the average rate for SELF was 33 ± 10 beats per minute, making SELF the fastest. All application speeds showed similar results in pre-intervention measurements of the mechanical properties of the tissues (P > 0.05). However, post hoc analysis revealed that a decrease was evident in SLOW compared to SELF in muscle tone in post-intervention measurements (P = 0.037). Also, we noted that comparison of pre- and post-intervention on FAST and SLOW showed a significant reduction in muscle tone (P = 0.002, P = 0.008).

Slower foam rolling prior to training or competition may lead to a delay in the reaction time due to the reduction in tonus, that can increase the injury risks. Alternatively, the significant reduction in tonus may be useful in regulating the increased tonus after training and competition.

Keywords: stiffness, muscle tonus, elastic modulus, basketball

Differences in application speed of the foam roller appear to have effects on acute outcomes. Foam roller applications at or slower than 30 beat per minute does have a reducing effect on tonus. However, it is unclear whether the change in tonus is directly a decrease or a tonus normalization. Therefore, using the foam roller prior to training or competition may lead to a delay in the desired reaction time due to the reduction in tonus, which can increase the risk of joint and ligament injuries in athletes. On the other hand, the significant reduction in tonus may be useful in regulating the increased tonus after training and competition. Studies investigating the acute and long-term effects of application speed and comparing with functional tests are needed in the literature to verify the clinical effects of our results.