Foam rolling is a popular self-manual therapy technique used to improve flexibility, recovery, and athletic performance. It can be considered a form of self-induced massage, exerting pressure on the muscles similar to manual manipulation. The benefits of foam rolling include:
1. Performance and Recovery:
Foam rolling is believed to benefit athletes by enhancing performance and recovery. It is an affordable, easy, and time-efficient technique that resembles massage and can improve flexibility, subjective markers of recovery, and athletic performance
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2. Muscle Soreness and Inflammation:
Foam rolling can help relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, and increase joint range of motion. Studies have shown that it may reduce pain intensity, fatigue, stiffness, and depression, as well as increase range of motion
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3. Flexibility and Mobility:
It is an effective tool to maintain and train flexibility and mobility improvements. It has been compared to traditional stretching and has shown to increase flexibility.
4. Research and Evidence:
While there is ongoing research on foam rolling, the evidence is still evolving. Some studies suggest benefits in terms of flexibility and recovery, but more research is needed to confirm its efficacy for certain conditions and to determine the exact mechanisms through which foam rolling operates
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