Honors College Theses

Publication Date

4-18-2019

Major

Exercise Science (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Li Li

Abstract

The relatively new implementation of vibration into foam rollers was developed in response to the positive feedback of whole-body vibration treatment and foam rolling therapy. The purpose of the study is to research the changes in range of motion and myoelectric activity of the ankle dorsiflexors in female NCAA Division I swimmers when using a vibrating foam roller in comparison to a static foam roller. Combining the self-myofascial release with the increased blood flow and muscle temperature exerted from vibration could possibly enhance the effects of foam-rolling treatment. The different effects of ankle flexibility and motor unit activation after static and vibrating foam rolling was measured with a sample size of 15 female collegiate swimmers. Resting flexibility was measured upon arrival and the participant then rolled from their popliteal fossa to the middle of the Achilles tendon for 30 seconds, three times, with a 15-second break in between each trial. Flexibility was measured immediately after the foam rolling procedure. Neuromuscular data was recorded using electromyography (EMG) during both an isokinetic and isometric ankle joint force production test using the Biodex dynamometer. The data was analyzed with a paired, one-tail, T-test for the difference between static and dynamic of the difference between post intervention and pre-intervention. Significant interaction in range of motion was found using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures with a T-test value of 0.039. No significant interaction and no significant difference were found between the pre and post testing results of EMG data.

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