An Intense Warm-Up Does Not Potentiate Performance Before or After a Single Bout of Foam Rolling

Foam rolling (FR) is a common intervention used as a warm-up to increase the range of motion (ROM) of a joint, without changes in subsequent performance. It has been shown that, in similar techniques (e.g., stretching), an additional intense warm-up can lead to performance potentiation. However, to date, it is not clear if this also holds true for FR, and if this effect is similar in both sexes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an intense warm-up either before or after FR with the effects of FR without any additional intense warm-up, in both females and males. In total, 27 volunteers (14 male, 13 female) visited the laboratory on three separate days. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of the three interventions. ROM was assessed with a Sit n' Reach box, and countermovement jump (CMJ) height with a force plate, both before and after the interventions. In addition, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) peak torque and maximum voluntary dynamic contraction (MVDC) peak torque were assessed with a dynamometer. ROM increased to the same extent following the interventions in all groups, with a large magnitude of change (P < 0.001; d = 1.12 to 1.83). In addition, male participants showed significantly higher increases in ROM when the intense warm-up was performed after FR (P < 0.001; d = 1.44), but not without the intense warm-up (P = 0.45; d = 0.57) or when the intense warm-up was performed before FR (P = 0.24; d = 0.69). No significant changes in CMJ height, MVIC peak torque, or MVDC peak torque were observed (P > 0.05). We therefore conclude that the time-efficient athlete might skip further intense warm-up, besides FR, when the goal is to increase ROM and to sustain performance parameters.