The 14 studies surveyed indicate some evidence it has at least a marginal effect on 1, 2. But nothing on 3).
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Saying it improves muscle recovery but nothing on performance seems kinda wonky because most of the time performance is based purely on the adaptability of the body. So if you improve recovery, you therefore likely give yourself a better chance at performance.
I've also never used the foam roller with "performance" per say as the end goal. It's an "recovery" method to improve the body's adaptability which then translates into performance gains.
So all that is long winded to say if they are finding it to improve muscle recovery that's a big plus in my book. That is how you will get performance gains.
I'm not sure how you measure it directly with "performance" as I've not ever seen those used in a performance setting, it's always been post activity *most* of the time. So sometimes it's one of those they can make a study say anything they want.
Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II
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Saying it improves muscle recovery but nothing on performance seems kinda wonky because most of the time performance is based purely on the adaptability of the body. So if you improve recovery, you therefore likely give yourself a better chance at performance.
I've also never used the foam roller with "performance" per say as the end goal. It's an "recovery" method to improve the body's adaptability which then translates into performance gains.
So all that is long winded to say if they are finding it to improve muscle recovery that's a big plus in my book. That is how you will get performance gains.
I'm not sure how you measure it directly with "performance" as I've not ever seen those used in a performance setting, it's always been post activity *most* of the time. So sometimes it's one of those they can make a study say anything they want.
Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II