Publications
Vibration foam rolling enhances ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance recovery following delayed onset muscle soreness: A randomized controlled split-body design
Authors: Ismail Gonen 1, Ozgun Uysal 2, Cigdem Demir 3, Ahmet Ozgur Atay 4, Gulcan Harput 1, 5
Affiliations:
- PTrust Academy Physical Therapy Center, Ankara, Turkiye
- Izmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkiye
- Yuksek Ihtisas University, Vocational School of Health Services, Physiotherapy Program, Ankara, Turkiye
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Ankara, Turkiye
- Ankara Medipol University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkiye
Journal: Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies - October 2026, Volume 48, Pages 1915-1923 (DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2026.10.010)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Treatment evaluation
- Fatigue / Overtraining
- Warm-up / Recovery
Background: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) affects athletic performance by decreasing force production capacities, increasing soreness, pain, stiffness, and swelling, and altering joint biomechanics and kinesthetic sense. These changes of DOMS are also related to the decreased range of motion, force production, and balance. The literature suggests two effective ways to treat DOMS: vibration therapy and foam rolling.
Aims: To compare the acute effects of vibrating (VFR) and non-vibrating foam rolling (NVFR) on pain, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, dynamic balance, muscle strength, and muscle viscoelastic properties following DOMS.
Methods: Thirty physically active adults participated in the study. DOMS was induced bilaterally using a standardized eccentric heel-rise protocol. Each participant received VFR on one limb and NVFR on the contralateral limb in a randomized manner. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion using the weight-bearing lunge test, dynamic balance using the Y-Balance Test, muscle strength, and muscle viscoelastic properties using MyotonPRO measurements. Assessments were performed at baseline, 48 h post-exercise, and immediately after intervention.
Results: Both VFR and NVFR significantly improved pain, ROM, muscle strength, dynamic balance, and muscle stiffness following DOMS (p < 0.001). A significant condition×time interaction was observed for ankle dorsiflexion ROM (p < 0.001) and anterior reach distance in the Y-Balance Test (p = 0.012), favoring VFR. No between-condition differences were found for pain or muscle strength.
Conclusions: Both foam rolling modalities are effective for short-term recovery from DOMS. However, vibration foam rolling provides additional benefits in improving ankle dorsiflexion ROM and anterior dynamic balance.
Keywords: foam rolling, vibration therapy, DOMS, gastrocnemius, muscle stiffness, recovery
Both vibrating and non-vibrating foam rolling are effective strategies for improving pain, range of motion, muscle strength, dynamic balance, and muscle stiffness in the acute phase of delayed onset muscle soreness following eccentric heel rise exercise. However, vibration foam rolling provides additional benefits in restoring ankle dorsiflexion ROM and anterior dynamic balance distance, which are key components of functional performance. Given its short application time and immediate effects, vibration foam rolling may be considered a practical and efficient modality to enhance recovery and optimize functional readiness in sports and rehabilitation settings.