Publications

This study examined the effects of vibrating foam rollers (VR) on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), inflammatory response, and athletic performance.

Eighteen experienced adult runners (average running experience: 6 years) participated in a crossover study with three recovery interventions: vibrating roller (VR), non-vibrating roller (NVR), and static stretching (SS). DOMS was induced through downhill treadmill running. Each intervention targeted four muscle groups bilaterally (gluteal, anterior/posterior thigh, anterior/posterior calf) for 30 seconds per group using a vibration frequency of 28 Hz for the VR condition. Blood samples were taken at baseline (T0), 24 hours (T24), and 48 hours (T48) post-exercise to assess creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Lower limb flexibility, muscle stiffness, vertical jump performance, and Y-balance test (YBT) were also measured.

Eleven participants experienced DOMS and completed studies. No significant interaction effects were observed for any outcome variable. Hamstrings flexibility, YBT scores, and CK levels showed significant time effects, indicating natural recovery over 48 hours. Group differences in CK and YBT remained unchanged over time, indicating no intervention was more effective. In addition, muscle stiffness, jump performance, CRP, and IL-6 levels did not differ between interventions. VR, NVR, and SS produced similar short-term recovery outcomes, with no intervention showing clear superiority.

Overall, the changes observed within 48 hours reflected general physiological recovery rather than distinct benefits from any specific intervention.

Keywords: eccentric exercise, exercise-induced muscle damage, creatine kinase, balance, vertical jump, self-myofascial release

VR, NVR, and SS produced similar short-term recovery outcomes, with no intervention showing clear superiority. Overall, the changes observed within 48 hours reflected general physiological recovery rather than distinct benefits from any specific intervention. For practical applications, VR, NVR, and SS produce equivalent short-term recovery profiles following DOMS in trained runners. Since recovery beyond 48 hours appears to be primarily driven by natural physiological processes, these techniques may be used as adjuncts rather than primary treatments, chosen based on the athlete’s preferences, comfort, time availability, and equipment access. VR, NVR, and SS may help some athletes feel subjectively “looser or relaxed”, and current evidence does not show harmful effects on performance; however, expected benefits in terms of ROM, stiffness, or biochemical markers should be considered modest. Clinicians and coaches should therefore be cautious about promoting any of these modalities as a physiological recovery accelerator for DOMS-related symptoms.