This study aims to compare the immediate effects of vibration and non-vibration foam rolling on the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of knee flexor and extensor muscles in young male recreational athletes. Fourteen athletes will be included in this study, planned as a randomized controlled cross-over study. All athletes will complete three interventions: 1) vibration foam rolling (VFR), 2) non-vibration foam rolling (FR), and 3) rest control. Pre- and post-test assessment will include the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of knee flexor and extensor muscles, assessed with the MyotonPro.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
14
Athletes will be performed three sets of VFR for 30 s, with a 30 s break between each set and exercise. The rolling frequency will be standardized using a metronome set at 60 beats per minute. Athletes will be instructed to roll at a velocity of two metronome beats for each rolling direction. Intensity of pressure will be controlled with a target rating of 7 of 10 on a Numerical Rating Scale (0 = no discomfort and 10 = maximum discomfort) during VFR intervention. The target muscle groups will be the anterior and posterior thigh. During VFR, the vibrator booster will be set to a frequency of 48 hz, which is within the optimal frequency range (12 to 90 hz) to influence the musculoskeletal system, and an amplitude of 1.95 mm.
Athletes will be performed three sets of FR for 30 s, with a 30 s break between each set and exercise. The rolling frequency will be standardized using a metronome set at 60 beats per minute. Athletes will be instructed to roll at a velocity of two metronome beats for each rolling direction. Intensity of pressure will be controlled with a target rating of 7 of 10 on a Numerical Rating Scale (0 = no discomfort and 10 = maximum discomfort) during FR intervention. The target muscle groups will be the anterior and posterior thigh. The FR will be conducted using the same vibration foam rolling device, but with the vibration mode deactivated. This ensures that the physical dimensions and material properties of the roller remain constant across conditions, with the only variable being the presence or absence of mechanical vibration.
Muscle tone
The muscle tone (Hz), as a biomechanical property of the knee flexors and extensors, will be assessed using the MyotonPro (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The rectus femoris will be preferred as the primary extensor and the biceps femoris as the principal flexor for the assessment, due to their anatomical and functional centrality. To ensure accuracy, the probe will be applied perpendicularly in three successive increments, with automatic alerts for any deviation. The rectus femoris measurement will be taken at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial patellar border, with the subject supine and a 20 cm roller under the knees. For the biceps femoris, the subject will be prone with an ankle pillow for relaxation, with measurements taken at the midpoint of the long head's longitudinal axis to ensure consistency. Each muscle will be measured twice in immediate succession, using the mean for analysis.
Time frame: one week
Stiffness
The stiffness (N/m), as a biomechanical property of the knee flexors and extensors, will be assessed using the MyotonPro (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The rectus femoris will be preferred as the primary extensor and the biceps femoris as the principal flexor for the assessment, due to their anatomical and functional centrality. To ensure accuracy, the probe will be applied perpendicularly in three successive increments, with automatic alerts for any deviation. The rectus femoris measurement will be taken at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial patellar border, with the subject supine and a 20 cm roller under the knees. For the biceps femoris, the subject will be prone with an ankle pillow for relaxation, with measurements taken at the midpoint of the long head's longitudinal axis to ensure consistency. Each muscle will be measured twice in immediate succession, using the mean for analysis.
Time frame: one week
Elasticity
The elasticity (unitless), as a biomechanical property of the knee flexors and extensors, will be assessed using the MyotonPro (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The rectus femoris will be preferred as the primary extensor and the biceps femoris as the principal flexor for the assessment, due to their anatomical and functional centrality. To ensure accuracy, the probe will be applied perpendicularly in three successive increments, with automatic alerts for any deviation. The rectus femoris measurement will be taken at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial patellar border, with the subject supine and a 20 cm roller under the knees. For the biceps femoris, the subject will be prone with an ankle pillow for relaxation, with measurements taken at the midpoint of the long head's longitudinal axis to ensure consistency. Each muscle will be measured twice in immediate succession, using the mean for analysis.
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Time frame: one week
The mechanical stress relaxation time
The mechanical stress relaxation time (ms), as a viscoelastic property of the knee flexors and extensors, will be assessed using the MyotonPro (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The rectus femoris will be preferred as the primary extensor and the biceps femoris as the principal flexor for the assessment, due to their anatomical and functional centrality. To ensure accuracy, the probe will be applied perpendicularly in three successive increments, with automatic alerts for any deviation. The rectus femoris measurement will be taken at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial patellar border, with the subject supine and a 20 cm roller under the knees. For the biceps femoris, the subject will be prone with an ankle pillow for relaxation, with measurements taken at the midpoint of the long head's longitudinal axis to ensure consistency. Each muscle will be measured twice in immediate succession, using the mean for analysis.
Time frame: one week
The ratio of relaxation and deformation time
The ratio of deformation and relaxation time (unitless), as a viscoelastic property of the knee flexors and extensors, will be assessed using the MyotonPro (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). The rectus femoris will be preferred as the primary extensor and the biceps femoris as the principal flexor for the assessment, due to their anatomical and functional centrality. To ensure accuracy, the probe will be applied perpendicularly in three successive increments, with automatic alerts for any deviation. The rectus femoris measurement will be taken at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial patellar border, with the subject supine and a 20 cm roller under the knees. For the biceps femoris, the subject will be prone with an ankle pillow for relaxation, with measurements taken at the midpoint of the long head's longitudinal axis to ensure consistency. Each muscle will be measured twice in immediate succession, using the mean for analysis.
Time frame: one week