Does Vibration Foam Roller Influence Performance and Recovery? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefits in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood flow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no significant effects on jump performance (SMD = 0.14 [95% CI − 0.022 to 0.307]; p = 0.101; I2 = 1.08%) and no significant beneficial effects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.16 [95% CI − 0.041 to 0.367]; p = 0.117; I2 = 9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of VFR on performance and recovery. Trial Registration This investigation was registered in PROSPERO with the code CRD42021238104.

Comparison of acute and prolonged effects of short-term foam rolling and vibration foam rolling on the properties of knee extensors

“…The acute effect of FR intervention on muscle strength and performance with FR has not been consistent, but in recent reviews, FR interventions tend to have no beneficial or harmful effect on muscle strength or performance [ 4 , 11 ] or are effective when compared to stretching interventions [ 48 ]. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta-analysis [ 12 ] examining the effects of VFR interventions showed no significant effect of VFR interventions on jumping performance. Our results expanded these findings and suggested that short-term FR and VFR interventions do not change jump performance after both FR and VFR interventions.…”

“…On the other hand, FR and VFR intervention for the ankle plantar flexors was reported to be effective in increasing ROM on the nonintervention side to the same extent [ 7 ]. Also, FR and VFR interventions have not been reported to decrease muscle strength or performance [ 11 , 12 ]. Therefore, FR and VFR interventions that maintain muscle strength and increase ROM are currently being employed in various sports and rehabilitation fields.…”

“…Thus, this study was designed to compare and examine the acute and prolonged effects of short-term FR and VFR interventions on knee extensors. Based on previous studies [ 6 , 7 ], we hypothesized that the effects of increased ROM and decreased tissue hardness would be greater in VFR compared to FR because the vibration function would affect mechanoreceptors [ 12 , 15 ]. Previous studies [ 12 , 16 ] have reported that FR/VFR interventions do not adversely affect muscle strength or jump performance.…”

“…Based on previous studies [ 6 , 7 ], we hypothesized that the effects of increased ROM and decreased tissue hardness would be greater in VFR compared to FR because the vibration function would affect mechanoreceptors [ 12 , 15 ]. Previous studies [ 12 , 16 ] have reported that FR/VFR interventions do not adversely affect muscle strength or jump performance. Therefore, we hypothesized that a short-term intervention would not alter CMJ height.…”

Self-Massage Techniques for the Management of Pain and Mobility With Application to Resistance Training: A Brief Review

“…Percussion and vibrating devices have also proven to reduce MTrP tenderness and sensitivity and improve joint ROM (31,45,100). Moreover, a recent systematic review with meta-analysis (2) suggested that vibration foam rollers may improve jump, agility, strength, and recovery, although stressed that additional research is required to confirm these effects. Vibration therapy is commonly administered through vibrating device applied locally to a muscle group, with emerging technologies contributing to the development of vibrating foam rollers, which have demonstrated superior effects to nonvibrating rollers in improving pain tolerance and producing greater short-term gains in local PPT levels (26,31).…”