This study aims to compare the effects of 6-week vibration and non-vibration foam rolling on neuromuscular control and performance in male soccer players.
The typical warm-up protocol consists of different stretching exercises, sub-maximal aerobic activities, and sports-related activities. However, in recent years, warm-up protocols involving different methods have been applied and recommended. Foam rolling (FR) via foam roller, one of these methods, has become a common and popular method in many sports settings. While the popularity and use of the foam rolling method is gradually increasing, in recent years this method has begun to be applied as vibration and included in warming protocols. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of 6-week vibration and non-vibration foam rolling on neuromuscular control and performance in male soccer players. Within the scope of initial assessments; knee flexor and extensor muscle strength and Hamstring/Quadriceps muscle strength ratio with the Lafayette manual muscle testing device, flexibility with the sit-and-reach test, dynamic balance with the Y balance test, reaction time with the "Test You Brain Pro System", lower extremity anaerobic power with the Wingate anaerobic power test, agility with the t-test and sprint with the 20-m sprint test will be evaluated. After the initial assessment, vibration and non-vibration foam rolling methods will be applied to the gluteal, tensor fascia latae, hamstring, quadriceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles of both lower extremities of the participants in the intervention groups, in addition to the routine warm-up protocol, 3 days a week for a total of 15 minutes a day for 6 weeks. No intervention will be applied to the participants in the control group. This group will continue the routine warm-up protocol. After the methods applied to the intervention groups for 6 weeks, the initial assessments applied to all participants will be repeated.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
36
The vibration foam rolling method will be applied to the gluteal, tensor fascia latae, hamstring, quadriceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles of both lower extremities of the participants in the Vibration Foam Rolling Group, in addition to the routine warm-up protocol, 3 days a week for a total of 15 minutes a day for 6 weeks.
The non-vibration foam rolling method will be applied to the gluteal, tensor fascia latae, hamstring, quadriceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles of both lower extremities of the participants in the Non-Vibration Foam Rolling Group, in addition to the routine warm-up protocol, 3 days a week for a total of 15 minutes a day for 6 weeks.
İzmir Katip Celebi University
Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Knee Flexor and Extensor Muscle Strength
Participants' knee flexor and extensor muscle strength will be evaluated with the Lafayette manual muscle test device (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette IN, USA).This device is a valid and reliable method that is frequently used in the evaluation of muscle strength. During the evaluation, participants will be asked to perform a maximum isometric contraction for 3 seconds with the muscle in which the muscle strength is evaluated against the resistance to be applied with the manual muscle test device. Measurements will be repeated 3 times with one minute intervals for the right and left sides and the average of the measured values will be used for analysis.
Time frame: A week
Knee Flexor and Extensor Muscle Strength Ratio (H/Q Ratio)
Participants' Hamstring/Quadriceps muscle strength ratio will be evaluated with the Lafayette manual muscle test device (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette IN, USA). This device is a valid and reliable method that is frequently used in the evaluation of muscle strength. The Hamstring/Quadriceps muscle strength ratio will be determined by the ratio of the knee flexor and extensor muscle strengths obtained during the measurements.
Time frame: A week
Flexibility
The flexibility will be evaluated whit the sit-and-reach test. The testing box will be fixed to the wall, and participants will be requested to sit with their knees extended and the soles of their feet against the testing box. Then participants will be requested to slowly reach forward as far as possible along the top of the box and hold the position for 2 seconds without bending their knees. The average of the two trials will be used for analysis.
Time frame: A week
Dynamic Balance
Dynamic balance will be evaluated with the Y balance test. The test is a valid and reliable method that was developed as a version of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) to improve repeatability and standardize the performance. During the preparation of the test, three tape measures; between the anterior and the posterolateral/posteromedial directions, will be fixed to the ground with 135° angles. The measurement will be done for the dominant side three times after the trial and the average of the endpoints where the athletes could reach will be used for analysis. The greater the distance the participants can reach during the test, the better participant's dynamic balance performance.
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Time frame: A week
Agility
Agility will be evaluated with the agility T-test. The test is a valid and reliable method used in the assessment of agility performance. For this test, an agility circuit will be created with 4 cones named 1, 2, 3, and 4. Cones will also set up at a distance of 10 yards between 1 and 2, and 5 yards between 2, and 3, 2, and 4. At the "go" command, the participant will sprint forward from cone 1 to cone 2, sidestepped to cone 3, sidestepped to cone 4, sidestepped to cone 2, then backpedal as fast as possible to cone 1. A stopwatch will be used during the test. The test will be performed 2 times with at least 2-minute rest periods between trials. The average of the 2 trials will be used for data analysis.
Time frame: A week
Sprint
Sprint performance will be evaluated with the 20-m sprint test. The test is a valid and reliable method used in studies to evaluate sprint performance. During the test, at the "go" command, the participant will be asked to complete the 20-meter distance as quickly as possible, and a stopwatch will be used to determine the time to complete the test. All participants will performed the test 2 times with at least 2-minute rest periods between trials. The average of the 2 trials will be used for data analysis.
Time frame: A week
Reaction Time
Lower-extremity V-MRT will be evaluated with the Test You Brain Pro System. This system is a method that consists of 6 semaphores (sensors), 6 stabilizers, 1 charging cable, and 1 tablet and assesses and trains the reaction time of individuals in many different environments. Before the assessments, 6 semaphores (light and sound stimuli) will be positioned to form a 180° semicircle, with each semaphore placed in increments of 45° around the semicircle.Participants will perform the test three times with 30-second intervals after one trial with their right lower-extremity, left lower-extremity, and right and left lower-extremities (random), respectively. The average of the scores obtained will be recorded and used for analysis.
Time frame: A week
Anaerobic Power
Anaerobic power test will be evaluated with the electromagnetic ergometer (Ergomedic894E, Germany). The measurement method is to adjust and set the saddle height so that the knee of each participant could have a flexion of about 5°, and thus, 0.075 kp per unit weight will be supposed to be applied when reaching one's maximum speed. Afterward, a tester in synchronization with the computer verbally count a 5-second count down following warm-up and then verbally will give a "Start" signal, after which peak anaerobic power, average power, and fatigue index will be measured while encouraging participants to perform the exercise as much as possible for 30 seconds.
Time frame: A week