Can We use Foam Rollers in Place of Stretching?

Abstract

In the past 20 years, athletes, in particular, have used foam rollers as a form of self-care. However, there has been little evidence for foam rolling. Therefore, we investigated the acute and chronic (long-term) effects of foam rolling intervention on a range of motion (ROM) and shear elastic modulus in healthy participants and eccentrically-induced muscle damage (delayed onset muscle soreness) in an actual physical therapy setting. Our results showed that foam rolling intervention could increase the range of motion acutely and chronically. Still, there was no significant change in shear elastic modulus. However, the vibration foam roller intervention, which can be used simultaneously with vibration therapy, could decrease shear elastic modulus by stimulating the muscle belly area. In addition, foam rolling intervention could also improve muscle soreness and the range of motion loss. These results suggest that foam roller intervention could be a valuable alternative approach to stretching in clinical practice in the future.