Effect of vibration vs non-vibration foam rolling techniques on flexibility, dynamic balance and perceived joint stability after fatigue

Abstract

Background. Foam roller and vibration techniques are currently used to assist in recovery after fatigue. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the use of a foam roller with and without vibration on dynamic balance, ankle dorsiflexion, hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility, and perceived knee and ankle stability after an induced fatigue protocol.
Methods. 24 healthy recreationally active participants (17 males and 7 females) were recruited to a randomized cross over trial consisting of: no treatment (NT), foam roller treatment (FR) and vibration foam roller treatment (VFR). The assessments included; the Sit & Reach test, Y balance test, and post-treatment perceived knee and ankle stability. Measurements were taken after a standardised warm up (baseline), and repeated following an exercise-induced muscle fatigue protocol consisting of repeated lunges until volitional fatigue. The three treatment conditions were assessed on three separate days in a randomized order. A 3×3 repeated measures ANOVA was used to investigate differences between the three treatments over the three time points, and a one factor repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine any differences between treatments using the Global Rate of Change scale when considering perceived stability.
Results. FR and VFR treatment conditions both showed a greater ankle dorsiflexion ROM (p<0.001), greater posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances (p<0.001) and a better knee and ankle perceived stability (p<0.001) when compared to the NT condition. A trend toward significance was observed in the hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility (p=0.074) in both treatment conditions when compared to the NT condition. However, no differences were seen between the FR and VFR treatment conditions.
Conclusions. Both foam roller treatment conditions seem to assist in exercise-induced muscle fatigue recovery with improvements in range of motion, balance and perceived stability.