Back pain: fascial rolls showed in the study, only minor effects

Movement scientists doubted the effects of massage rollers

Dr. Christian Baumgart is motion and exercise scientist. In the context of a study, the Team gathered to Baumgart scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the popular fascial rollers, which are also referred to as Foam rolling or massage rollers. Baumgarts first conclusion: “There is a lot of Hype about the roles, however, little scientific evidence!”

A research team led by Dr. rer. nat. Christian Baumgart of the University of Wuppertal studied the biomechanical effects of the fascial role. The so-called Foam Rolling is often used to relax the muscles and connective tissue. The researchers found in their studies, however, there is insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of. Baumgart will present the results of its study to the Congress of the Orthopaedic and traumatological society for sports medicine in June in Salzburg.

Effects of fascial roles were in the Tests only slightly detectable

In several Tests, the researchers could not find any measurable effect of the fascial ends to demonstrate roles. For example, students should apply under the expert guidance of the massage rollers on the legs. Before and after the Exercise your vertical jump height was measured. There is no effect showed. Also in the measurement of muscle tension with only minor changes to details of the research team. For comparison, the students had to complete a ten-minute exposure of the training on the Bicycle Ergometer. In the subsequent jump test, the Participants performed much better.

Fascial rollers can enjoy from the scientific point of view with caution

“Fascia are very thin, and the effect of a pure compression is questionable,” says Baumgart in a press release on the study. The movement of scientists advises caution. Long-term consequences and health risks may sometimes be greater when the intense roles caused, for example, damage to the venous valves. Also, there is a negative effect of the compression of the skin, under the skin, the muscles, the fascial areas of the bone would be conceivable, but as yet little studied.

Massage not professionals can roll replace

Baumgart emphasized that the Foam Rolling is no substitute for manual techniques for loosening of the muscles. “A therapist, or Masseur treated in the correct physiological direction of pull,” he explains. A professional could determine whether or not, and what is there Inside the muscles stretched. Therefore, the Transmission of the effects of physiotherapeutic applications in the role is questionable. The effect of classical Dehnmethoden is often comparable to or even better.

Biomechanical stress in knob to high

In further studies, the biomechanical measured stresses for different role types. The researchers found that in rollers with hard nubs a much higher peak pressure. When you roll over the calf or on the front of the femur so a load average of 30 percent of the body weight was measured. “In people who lie with the back on it and roll, this load is many times higher,” warns Baumgart. For more information you can also read the article: Targeted fascial training: Hype or an effective training method? (vb)