Foam Rolling, Elbow Proprioception, Strength, and Functional Motor Performance

Foam rolling has recently been used frequently to increase flexibility. However, its effects on proprioception, strength, and motor performance are not well known. In addition, very few researchers have examined the effects of foam rolling on the upper extremity.

To investigate the effects of foam rolling on elbow proprioception, strength, and functional motor performance in healthy individuals.

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Exercise laboratory of School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University.

Sixty healthy participants (mean age = 22.83 ± 4.07 years).

We randomly assigned participants to 2 groups: the foam-rolling group (FRG; 4 weeks of foam rolling for the biceps brachii muscle) or control group (CG; no foam rolling).

We evaluated proprioception (joint position sense [JPS] and force matching), biceps brachii muscle strength, and functional motor performance (modified pull-up test [MPUT], closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test [CKCUEST], and push-up test) at the baseline and at the end of the fourth and eighth weeks.

The JPS at 45° of elbow flexion, muscle strength, CKCUEST, and push-up test results improved after foam rolling, and improvement was maintained at follow up (P < .017). Although the changes between groups for the results of proprioception and CKCUEST were similar among the 3 time points (P > .05), muscle strength improved from baseline to the second evaluation and from baseline to follow up (P < .001) in the FRG compared with the CG group (P = .004). The FRG group demonstrated better push-up test results than the CG group at the 3 time points (P = .040, P = .001, P < .001). Other data did not change (P values > .05).

Foam rolling was effective in improving elbow JPS at small flexion angles, biceps brachii strength, and some aspects of upper extremity functional motor performance. These effects were maintained at 4 weeks after application.