Foam roller

[RagingBITCH]

I just bought a rumble roller yesterday. I have used smooth rollers for years and this a new experience all together. lately I am dealing with issues in my shoulders (teres) and a lacrosse ball is helping, but found info on the rumble roller and decided to get one. the nubs allow you to get into places where the smooth rollers cannot. it's like foam rolling with trigger point release. most notably in the shoulders and around the hips. on my thighs and back it feels the same, but if you slow down and feel around, it can really get into places a smooth roller cannot

Yep. That being said, it'll take about a week or so of getting used to it before it just becomes "relaxing". The first few times were a shock to the system. (I've been using TheGrid for years)

 

[SeductivePig]

I used to foam roll then bought an electronic shiatzu massager online. I lie down and let it do all the work.. So much easier and effective.

 

[Blanky]

Most of what I've read that actually has studied, objective data says foam rolling is more or less a pointless fad. Maybe some very limited benefits in some cases.

In this study it did nothing: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23588488

The ones referenced here (I've not checked the references) claim a statistically significant though small benefit: http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/research-effectiveness-foam-rolling/

 

[Terzo]

Postexercise fatigue after foam rolling was significantly less than after the subjects performed planking (p ≤ 0.05). The reduced feeling of fatigue may allow participants to extend acute workout time and volume, which can lead to chronic performance enhancements. However, foam rolling had no effect on performance.

I think the foam rolling is supposed to help with flexibility. This is measuring athletic performance. This study also says there is reduced fatigue, as quoted above.

 

[Sixguns]

Most of what I've read that actually has studied, objective data says foam rolling is more or less a pointless fad. Maybe some very limited benefits in some cases.

In this study it did nothing: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23588488

The ones referenced here (I've not checked the references) claim a statistically significant though small benefit: http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/research-effectiveness-foam-rolling/

Say what you will but since I have started I have been feeling great. Muscle soreness has decreased a ton since I started. Going to keep this up.

 

[z1ggy]

Foam rolling can be used as a form of trigger point release. Prolonged pressure on a tight muscle will relax it over time.

I have knots in my rhomboid/middle traps. My girlfriend will press into them pretty hard , until the pain from that dies down. Then, she will press even harder... Then... harder, etc doing this for about 60 seconds, for a few times.

Additionally, I've found foam rolling to be one of the best ways to massage my IT bands and my lats, two areas that can be difficult to stretch effectively.