ArticleInternational journal of sports physical therapy2013
Roller-massager application to the hamstrings increases sit-and-reach range of motion within five to ten seconds without performance impairments.
Article in International journal of sports physical therapy, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 96 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Acute Effects of Foam Rolling Self-application on Isometric Back Extension Endurance on Basketball Players. A Pilot Study.
Effects of Long-term Foam Rolling Compared to Static Stretching on Hamstring Muscle Flexibility
Comparison of the Effects of Instrumental Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Foam Roller on Delayed Muscle Pain.
The Effect of Myofascial Release Technique on Sportive Performance, Balance and Injury Risk in Runners.
Who cites it
96 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 198 citations in OpenAlex.
- Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Range of Motion in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review with Multilevel Meta-analysis.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2020Pooled it
- A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Foam Rolling on Performance and Recovery.Frontiers in physiology · 2019Pooled it
- An acute bout of foam rolling of the biceps brachii does not affect upper extremity sensorimotor function: a randomized trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Trial
- A Single Bout of Foam Rolling After Nordic Hamstring Exercise Improves Flexibility but Has No Effect on Muscle Stiffness or Functional Muscle Parameters.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Trial
- Foam Rolling vs. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching in the Hamstring Flexibility of Amateur Athletes: Control Trials.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Trial
- Effects of Myofascial Release Using Finding-Oriented Manual Therapy Combined with Foam Roller on Physical Performance in University Athletes. A Randomized Controlled Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Trial
- Acute Effect of Short Intensive Self-Myofascial Release on Jump Performance in Amateur Athletes: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Trial
- The Influence of Self-Myofascial Release on Muscle Flexibility in Long-Distance Runners.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Trial
- Effects of Foam Rolling Duration on Tissue Stiffness and Perfusion: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial.Journal of sports science & medicine · 2021Trial
- The Effect of Hamstring Relaxation Program on Headache, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Range of Motion in Patients with Tension Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Trial
- A comparison of foam rolling and vibration foam rolling on the quadriceps muscle function and mechanical properties.European journal of applied physiology · 2021Trial
- The Acute and Prolonged Effects of Different Durations of Foam Rolling on Range of Motion, Muscle Stiffness, and Muscle Strength.Journal of sports science & medicine · 2021Trial
- Impact of Short Foot Muscle Exercises on Quality of Movement and Flexibility in Amateur Runners.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Trial
- The Training Effects of Foam Rolling on Core Strength Endurance, Balance, Muscle Performance and Range of Motion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of sports science & medicine · 2019Trial
- Foam Rolling and Joint Distraction with Elastic Band Training Performed for 5-7 Weeks Respectively Improve Lower Limb Flexibility.Journal of sports science & medicine · 2019Trial
- The Addition of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation with Roller Massage Alone or in Combination Did Not Increase Pain Tolerance or Range of Motion.Journal of sports science & medicine · 2018Trial
- Comparison of Compressive Myofascial Release and the Graston Technique for Improving Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion.Journal of athletic training · 2018Trial
- Trial
- Pain pressure threshold of a muscle tender spot increases following local and non-local rolling massage.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2015Trial
- Roller-massager application to the quadriceps and knee-joint range of motion and neuromuscular efficiency during a lunge.Journal of athletic training · 2015Trial
36 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFoam rollers are used to mimic myofascial release techniques and have been used by therapists, athletes, and the general public alike to increase range of motion (ROM) and alleviate pressure points. The roller-massager was designed to serve a similar purpose but is a more portable device that uses the upper body rather than body mass to provide the rolling force. OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE: A roller massager was used in this study to examine the acute effects on lower extremity ROM and subsequent muscle length performance.
methodsSeven male and ten female volunteers took part in 4 trials of hamstrings roller-massager rolling (1 set - 5 seconds, 1 set - 10 seconds, 2 sets - 5 seconds, and 2 sets - 10 seconds) at a constant pressure (13 kgs) and a constant rate (120 bpm). A group of 9 participants (three male, six female) also performed a control testing session with no rolling intervention. A sit and reach test for ROM, along with a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force and muscle activation of the hamstrings were measured before and after each session of rolling.
resultsA main effect for testing time (p<0.0001) illustrated that the use of the roller-massager resulted in a 4.3% increase in ROM. There was a trend (p=0.069) for 10s of rolling duration to increase ROM more than 5s rolling duration. There were no significant changes in MVC force or MVC EMG activity after the rolling intervention.
conclusionsThe use of the roller-massager had no significant effect on muscle strength, and can provide statistically significant increases in ROM, particularly when used for a longer duration.
Indexed as
Identifiers
23772339PMC3679629W1505659939What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.