The Effect of an Acute Bout of Foam Rolling on Running Economy

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 2: Issue 1, Article 4, 2021. This study examined the impact of pre-exercise foam rolling on running economy at 5 km race pace. Sixteen trained distance runners (31.5±12.2 yr; V̇O2max 53.6±11.0) volunteered for the study. Participants completed two treadmill runs at self-selected 5 km race pace; one session with the use of pre-exercise foam rolling and the other with a controlled rest period prior to the run. Running economy was improved during the session with pre-exercise foam rolling applied (t(15)=2.48, p=.026, d=.62). These findings provide evidence for the acute effects of pre-run foam rolling on a parameter of running performance. These results also support the use of foam rolling as a warm-up strategy prior to a high intensity run. Future studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms behind the observed improvement

The Effects of an Acute Bout of Self-Myofascial Release on the Physiological Parameters of Running

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(3): 113-122, 2020. This study examined changes in the physiological parameters of running performance when self-myofascial release (SMR) was used prior to a submaximal run. A total of 16 male recreational runners, between the ages of 27 and 50 years old volunteered for the study. Participants had to complete a running event measuring a 10K or longer in the past 12 months and obtained a O2peakvalue of 45 mL·kg-lmin-1to be included in the study. Participants took part in two 40 min treadmill runs at 75% of their O2peak, one session with the use of SMR and the other with 20 min of seated rest prior to the run. Measurements of heart rate, blood lactate concentrations, ventilatory efficiency E/ O2), RPE, and running velocity were assessed. There was no statistically significant interaction or treatment effect for these variables when SMR was used prior to a 40 min treadmill run(p\u3e .05; heart rate: d = .01, E/ O2: d= .07, RPE: d= .07). Although no positive effects on running performance were found, the lack of negative effects suggests the use of SMR prior to running does not hinder performance