Effects of Foam Rolling on Flexibility

Flexibility is an important factor in overall health and fitness and has been shown to reduce the risk of injury in individuals of all ages and fitness lifestyles. Static and dynamic stretching as well as massage are commonly used to improve flexibility. Foam rolling is a relatively new method that is used to loosen soft tissue restrictions of the fascia of various muscle groups. It has become an increasingly popular method, particularly for athletic populations. However, few studies have been conducted to examine whether foam rolling improves flexibility. The purpose of this study was to determine whether foam rolling increases hip flexion, knee flexion, and hamstring flexibility. In addition, we compared 30-second and 60-second foam rolling bouts to determine the optimal duration needed to impact flexibility