Foam rolling effects on agonist – antagonist relationship and knee functionality

It has been established that foam rolling can increase range of motion, reduce exercise-induced soreness and improve performance. An imbalance of hamstrings to quadriceps strength is associated with an increased incidence of lower limb injuries. The effect of rolling one muscle (e.g. quadriceps or hamstrings) or a pair of muscles on the antagonist muscle has not been previously investigated. The proposed study will consist of four conditions: rolling of the 1) quadriceps, 2) hamstrings, 3) quadriceps and hamstrings and 4) control. Physiological and functional measures will include maximum voluntary contraction force of the quadriceps and hamstrings, conventional hamstrings to quadriceps ratio, electromyographic activity (muscle activation), Muscle activation and performance will be monitored during a single vertical jump and three hurdle jumps. The aim of the present study is to investigate what happens to the quadriceps following the application of foam rolling to the hamstrings and what happens to the hamstrings following foam rolling of the quadriceps.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Behm

Student:

Partner:

ProActive Physiotherapy Inc;Performance Health

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: