Self-Mobilization Using a Foam Roller Versus a Roller Massager: Which Is More Effective for Increasing Hamstrings...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Increasing muscle-tendon unit length may prevent injury.
• Foam rollers and roller massagers are self-mobilization tools used to enhance flexibility.
• Evidence supporting their effectiveness for hamstring flexibility is uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the moderate- to high-quality evidence for foam rollers and roller massagers in improving hamstring flexibility.
• To determine if these devices are effective for asymptomatic, physically active adults.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials.
• Four trials were included: two for foam rollers and two for roller massagers.
• Evidence quality was assessed as level 2 or 3.

Main Results:

• Roller massagers demonstrated increases in hamstring flexibility in both included studies.
• Foam roller studies did not show statistically significant flexibility increases, though one indicated a strong effect size.
• Flexibility gains may be duration-dependent and therapist-administered.

Conclusions:

• Moderate evidence supports roller massagers for increasing hamstring flexibility.
• Limited evidence exists for foam rolling effectiveness in this population.
• Neither device has proven superior to static stretching, and injury prevention benefits are unknown.