Dynamic Stretching and Vibration Foam Rolling Team Up
Badminton athletes benefit from a combo warmup.
Using a combination of dynamic stretching and vibration foam rolling led to improvements in range of motion, agility, muscle stiffness and more for badminton athletes, according to a study in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (2020; 19 [2], 420–28).
Dynamic stretching is considered a more sport-specific warmup than static stretching and is used mostly to improve ROM. Sports medicine researchers from the Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan wanted to evaluate whether adding a new technology tool like the vibration foam roller [VFR] would improve the benefits of warming up before sports performance.
Investigators compared dynamic stretching alone with dynamic stretching plus VFR in 40 badminton athletes.
Data analysis showed that dynamic stretching alone significantly improved knee ROM, jump height and agility, but this protocol also increased thigh and calf muscle stiffness. With the combination approach, muscle stiffness decreased.
Study authors recommend adding VFR to dynamic stretching, not only to improve athletic performance but also to reduce injury risk.
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
