Date of Award

Fall 9-13-2022

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PhD Health Sciences

Department

Health and Medical Sciences

Advisor

Genevieve Pinto Zipp, Ed.D.

Committee Member

Richard J. Boergers, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Chad A. Witmer, Ph.D.

Keywords

Muscle soreness, Exercise, Muscle damage, Foam Rolling

Abstract

Background: Foam rolling (FR) for recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) has received considerable attention because the technique is being a relatively inexpensive and is self-performed. However, there are currently no FR guidelines and the available literature assessing the impact of FR for recovery of muscle soreness is heterogeneous and offers conflicting results. Assessing different FR durations and their impact on recovery may help provide insight to the effectiveness of this technique for recovery from EIMD and DOMS. Purpose: To explore the impact of two different acute durations of FR for the recovery of vertical jump (VJ), sprint speed (SS), agility, range of motion (ROM), and pain/soreness following high intensity exercise. Methods: An experimental, randomized cross-over design was used consisting of twelve college-aged males were randomly assigned to a one- or two-minute FR group (EXP) (N = 6 per group) and served as their own control (CON). Participants completed a familiarization and baseline measure session before completing two, 4-session testing weeks (1-week EXP, 1-week CON) separated by a 1-week washout period. Session one employed the EIMD protocol and immediate post exercise measures taken. Sessions 2-4 were 24, 48, and 72 hr. post measures. FR (either 1 or 2-minutes) was completed during the EXP week on each lower extremity muscle group following the immediate post exercise measures, whereas CON did not complete FR. Results: No significant difference was seen between EXP groups at any time point post exercise for recovery of jump height (F=.007, P=.933), agility (F=.171, P=.681), sprint speed (F=.024, P=.876), ROM (F=.013, P=1.000), or pain/soreness (F=.000, P=.909). Conclusion: Foam rolling for either 1 or 2-minutes per muscle group immediately post exercise did not significantly aid in recovery of muscle soreness as measured by its impact on performance and non-performance outcomes. Therefore, FR using the protocol applied in this study, in the lower extremities immediately following high-intensity exercise may not be beneficial for recovering from DOMS in college-aged males.

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