Influence of foam rolling on elbow proprioception, strength, and functional motor performance

Objective: The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of foam rolling on elbow proprioception, strength and functional motor performance in healthy people. Methods: Sixty healthy participants were randomly divided into two groups: Foam Rolling Group (FRG) received foam rolling, Control Group (CG) didn't. Proprioception was evulated with joint position sense (JPS) and force matching; biceps brachii muscle strength with hand held dynamometer; functional motor performance with modified pull up (MPU) test, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability (CKCUES) test and push-up test. Evaluations were done at the baseline, at the end of the 4th week and 4 weeks after second measurements. Results: JPS measured at 45 degree elbow flexion improved after 4 weeks of foam rolling, this improvement was preserved 4 weeks after the end of the application (p<0.017), the results at the baseline and at the end of 8th week and the changes in groups were similar (p>0.05). Muscle strength, CKCUES and push-up test results improved after foam rolling, these improvements were preserved at the follow up, and follow up results were better than the baseline (p<0.017). While the changes in groups for CKCUES test results were similar among three time points (p>0.05), there were significant improvements for the muscle strength from baseline to second evaluation, and from baseline to follow up (p<0.05) in FRG compared to CG (p<0.05), and FRG was superior to CG to improve push-up test results among three time points (p<0.05). Foam rolling didn't affect JPS measured at 60 and 75 degrees elbow flexion, force matching and MPU test results (p>0.05). Conclusion: Foam rolling is effective in improving elbow JPS in small flexion angles, biceps brachii strength and some parameters of functional motor performance. These effects were preserved 4 weeks after application. The application has no effect on elbow JPS in large angles, force matching and MPU test scores. Key words: proprioception, foam rolling, motor performance, strength, elbow