The effects of vibration stimulation during foam rolling to the ankle plantar flexor muscles on range of motion and muscle stiffness

Abstract

This study was performed to compare the effects of foam rolling (FR) with or without vibration stimulation to the ankle plantar flexor muscles on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing positions and gastrocnemius muscle stiffness. Changes in muscle stiffness over time after the intervention were also investigated. The results showed that dorsiflexion ROM in weight-bearing positions was significantly higher after than before the 3-min FR intervention either with or without vibration stimulation (P<0.05), but dorsiflexion ROM in non-weight-bearing positions and muscle stiffness did not significantly change from before to after the intervention (P>0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in any measurement between vibration and non-vibration FR conditions (P>0.05). This study suggests that FR to the ankle plantar flexor muscles is effective in improving dorsiflexion ROM in weight-bearing positions but that vibration stimulation during FR has no additional effect.