Effects of 6-Week Vibration vs. Nonvibration Foam Rolling on Performance-Related Physical Fitness Parameters in Young Male Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Secer, E and Kaya, DO. Effects of 6-week vibration vs. nonvibration foam rolling on performance-related physical fitness parameters in young male soccer players: A randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 39(5): e647-e658, 2025-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 6-week vibration foam rolling (VFR) and nonvibration foam rolling (FR) on performance-related physical fitness parameters in young male soccer players. Thirty-six, volunteer, young, male soccer players (mean age: 15.55 ± 0.55 years) were randomly assigned into 3 groups: a VFR group ( n = 12), a FR group ( n = 12), and a control group (CG) ( n = 12). The players in VFR and FR groups performed VFR or FR interventions thrice per week for 6 weeks (3 × 30 seconds for each muscle or body side). Testing measures included reaction time, assessed with the reaction time measuring device; agility, assessed with the t test; sprint, assessed with the 20-m sprint test; and anaerobic power, assessed with the Wingate anaerobic power test. Dominant lower-extremity reaction time improved in the VFR group when compared with the FR group {-1.93 seconds (95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.07 seconds/-0.78 seconds)} and CG [-2.05 seconds (95% CI: -3.43 seconds/-0.67 seconds)]. Agility improved in the VFR and FR groups when compared with the CG [-0.90 seconds (95% CI: -1.26 seconds/-0.53 seconds), -0.53 seconds (95% CI: -0.95 seconds/-0.11 seconds), respectively]. Sprint improved in the VFR and FR groups when compared with the CG [-0.13 seconds (95% CI: -0.18 seconds/-0.07 seconds), -0.14 seconds (95% CI: -0.21 seconds/-0.06 seconds), respectively]. In conclusion, both 6-week VFR and FR increased agility and sprint performances. Vibration foam rolling is more effective than FR for improving lower-extremity reaction time. Vibration foam rolling and FR could be relevant options for strength and conditioning coaches to improve the physical performance of soccer players.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05988268.

Keywords: athletic performance; exercise; football; myofascial release therapy; physical education.