The Effects of Foam Rolling on Ankle Dorsiflexion, Ankle Stability, and Athletic Performance in Rhythmic Gymnasts

The Effects of Foam Rolling During the Warm-Up Phase on Range of Motion, Ankle Stability and Leaping Performance in Young Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts

Rhythmic Gymnastics is an Olympic discipline featuring individual or team competition. Regardless of the type of competition, athletes undergo rigorous training focused on enhancing their coordination, joint range of motion, and jump height. Each rhythmic gymnast voluntarily underwent testing at their own gym after reading and signing the informed consent document. During the first session, general information was collected on all participants (age, weight, and height), followed by an assessment of athletic performance and joint mobility parameters. For the jump performance parameters, the Counter Movement Jump test (CMJ) was used through an optical detecting system. An inertial sensor was used to measure joint mobility, while a pressure platform was used to measure ankle stability, using a single-leg jump protocol. Subsequently, participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG performed three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets for two times for week for 3 weeks. During each FR session, a complete sequential movement was always performed, starting from the gastrocnemius muscles and ending with the soleus muscle. At the end of the three weeks, all measurements were repeated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active participation in competitive training programs (at least 10 hours per week), at least one year of experience in competitions organized by the Italian Gymnastics Federation, and no recent injuries.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of current or not fully recovered injuries to the ankle or foot, and irregular participation in training sessions within the four weeks preceding the study.