What's New in Podiatry – Journal Article Summary
Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Passive Stiffness, Stretch Sensation and Fascial Sliding: A Randomized Controlled Trial

At the end of a workout, many athletes have become convinced that they are better off for adhering to the “hurts so good” routine of foam rolling. Foam rolling is an intensive method that is performed by individuals to promote myofascial release and improve flexibility. Currently, there are limited systematic reviews or RCTs of quality evidence that evaluate joint range of motion, muscle recovery, and performance. This randomly controlled trial compared three groups: foam rolling at the anterior thigh for 2 sets of one minute, static stretching of the same muscle group for the same time frame, and a control group with no intervention. Subjects were found to have benefits from both static stretching in combination with foam rolling, encouraging the use of foam rolling as a tool to improve flexibility. The neurophysiological mechanisms are still poorly understood, and further research is warranted in this area.

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Krause F, Wilke J, Niederer D, Vogt L, Banzer W. Acute effects of foam rolling on passive stiffness, stretch sensation and fascial sliding: A randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2017;18:114.