Effect of foam roller use on flexibility and some maximal strength parameters male football players

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of using foam rollers with different properties, in addition to dynamic warm-up, on flexibility and maximal strength parameters in male soccer players. The study included 23 healthy male football players (age: 21.86 ± 4.67 years, height: 178.52 ± 5.89 cm, weight: 70.96 ± 9.54 kg) who were actively participating in the Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality Sports Football Team in the Super Amateur League in Şanlıurfa province during the 2024/2025 season and who volunteered to participate. Participants underwent a different warm-up protocol each week for three weeks during the competition period, following a 48-hour rest period after each match.Week 1: Measurements were taken after 5 minutes of running and 10 minutes of dynamic warm-up. Week 2: Measurements were taken after 5 minutes of running, 10 minutes of dynamic warm-up, and 8 minutes of foam roller application. Week 3: Measurements were taken after 5 minutes of running, 10 minutes of dynamic warm-up, and 8 minutes of vibrating foam roller (level 1) application. During the data collection process, flexibility (sit-and-reach test), range of motion (goniometer), vertical jump, 30 m sprint, and multiple repetition maximal strength tests were performed. These measurements were taken in a fixed environment on the same day. SPSS Statistics 26.0 program was used for data analysis.The normality of the data distribution was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and repeated measures ANOVA was applied to data showing a normal distribution. Pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction were performed for parameters showing significant differences. Significance levels of p<0.01 and p<0.05 were accepted. It was observed that the use of foam rollers and vibrating foam rollers during warm-up significantly affected some flexibility parameters compared to classical warm-up. Compared to dynamic warm-up, the use of foam rollers and vibrating foam rollers resulted in statistically significant differences (p<0.01) in the flexibility values of the sit-and-reach test and (p<0.05) in the goniometer and right/left knee flexibility values.However, compared to dynamic warm-up, no statistically significant difference was found in the vertical jump, 30 m sprint, and right and left quadriceps and hamstring maximal strength of football players when using foam rollers and vibrating foam rollers (p>0.05). In conclusion, this study revealed that the use of foam rollers and vibrating foam rollers during warm-up has positive effects on the flexibility parameters of football players. In particular, increasing flexibility can reduce the risk of injury and plays an important role in improving performance. The use of foam rollers or vibrating foam rollers during warm-up is recommended for football players with the aim of increasing flexibility.