Abstract
Background/Objectives: Foam rolling is widespread and deeply rooted in exercise practice. The optimal duration and role of this treatment still lack scientific consensus. A relatively novel foam rolling treatment that combines vibration during application targets different muscle characteristics that are not well understood. Studies exploring this combined treatment are scarce. The aim of this study was set to investigate the acute effects of different duration vibration (15 s, 30 s, and 60 s) foam rolling treatment (VFRt) on muscle skin temperature and surface muscle electromyography ((s)EMG) during Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction. Methods: Eighteen male subjects performed four sets of three trials of maximal isometric heel rises during three experimental sessions conducted in research laboratory. Results: Repeated measures of ANOVA determined that the muscle skin temperature significant difference was only found for the 30 s treatment (p = 0.013-0.000). For surface muscle electromyography a 30 s treatment out of all three yielded the most significant results, between pretreatment set and post-treatment set 1 (p = 0.01)-small effect size (Cohen's d = -0.33)-and pretreatment set to post-treatment set 3 (p = 0.01)-small effect size (Cohen's d = -0.30). Conclusions: All treatments did not produce significant differences during Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction heel rises, which-for practical application purposes-present a safe treatment. Future studies should investigate the acute effects of longer duration treatment on changes in surface muscle temperature. In terms of practical application, other findings suggest that muscle efficiency was improved taken into account of unchanged muscle strength along with decreased (s)EMG, which is beneficial. Also, the downward trend of muscle activity caused by the other two treatment durations could be of significance for practical application during rehabilitation process or during activities where this is a desired and indicated goal. In terms of targeting elevated muscle activity, 30 s of VFRt is the treatment of choice.