Comparison of the effects of vibration foam rolling and static stretching interventions for posterior shoulder muscles on shoulder function

Abstract

This study compared the effects of vibration foam rolling and static stretching (sleeper stretch) interventions on the range of motion of shoulder internal rotation, finger vertebral distance, and shoulder external rotation strength over time. A randomized crossover design was used with 14 healthy male college students in the two conditions. The results showed that sleeper stretch and vibration foam rolling interventions for 90 seconds significantly improved shoulder internal rotation range of motion and finger vertebral distance immediately after the intervention and 15 minutes after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P < 0.05). In contrast, shoulder external rotation muscle strength was significantly lower in the sleeper stretch intervention group than in the vibration foam rolling intervention group immediately after the intervention (P < 0.05). The results suggest that a 90-second vibration foam rolling intervention may improve shoulder internal rotation range of motion and finger vertebral distance without negatively affecting shoulder external rotation muscle strength.