Wellness Routines
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8 sources: 2 meta-analyses, 5 randomised controlled trials, 1 systematic review
Physical · Concept

Dynamic Stretching, Foam Rolling, PNF and Post-Activation Strategies: What the Comparisons Measured

Reviews and trials comparing dynamic stretching with foam rolling or self-myofascial release, PNF stretching and post-activation potentiation strategies before activity. The sources' conclusions are not yet recorded in this library, so this entry states no effect and no comparison.

Any levelAnywhere
Before you start

Avoid rolling directly over bony areas, acute injuries, or areas with known vascular issues.

When to seek a professional
  • Persistent joint pain or sudden loss of range of motion, refer to a physician or physical therapist.
AthletesFor most adultsNew to this
What the evidence says
What the sources say

The sources on this entry compared dynamic stretching with, or alongside, foam rolling and self-myofascial release, PNF stretching and post-activation potentiation strategies before activity. Dutta 2023 is a systematic review and meta-analysis of 8 studies and 174 participants on foam rolling and dynamic stretching, with muscle strength and physical performance as the outcomes. Yu 2024 is a systematic review with meta-analysis of 19 studies on post-activation strategies and warm-up. Anderson 2020 (systematic review) addresses the same comparison. Five are randomised trials: López-Samanés 2021 (dynamic stretching and foam rolling in tennis), Deguzman 2018 (dynamic stretching, PNF and foam rolling), Malek 2024 (dynamic stretching and PNF for sprint and jump), and Somers 2020 and Seçer 2021 (self-myofascial release and dynamic stretching). The sources' conclusions are not yet recorded in this library, so this entry states no effect for any of these methods and ranks none of them.

What we won't claim
  • Foam rolling permanently reshapes fascia.
  • Foam rolling removes cellulite or toxins.
8 sources: 2 meta-analyses, 5 randomised controlled trials, 1 systematic review
Agreement
Direction recorded for 0 of 8 sources; not yet recorded for the rest.
The claim's outcome
Outcome not yet recorded
Certainty
No source states a certainty rating.
What each source measured and concluded (8)
systematic review · 2020
Anderson et al. (2020) — The Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Athletic Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic.
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2021
López-Samanés et al. (2021) — Acute effects of dynamic versus foam rolling warm-up strategies on physical performance in elite tennis players
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2018
Deguzman et al. (2018) — The Immediate Effects of Self-administered Dynamic Warm-up, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and Foam Rolling on Hamstring Tightness
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2024
Malek et al. (2024) — The Acute Effect of Dynamic vs. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching on Sprint and Jump Performance
How it was read
read in full text
meta-analysis · 2024
Yu et al. (2024) — Examining the Influence of Warm-Up Static and Dynamic Stretching, as well as Post-Activation Potentiation Effects, on the Acute Enhancement of Gymnastic Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.
How it was read
read in full text
What the review says it includes
systematic review with meta-analysis
Studies and participants, as stated
N = not reported participants across 19 studies
meta-analysis · 2023
Dutta et al. (2023) — Foam Rolling is not Superior to dynamic Stretching in Augmenting Muscle Strength and Physical Performance Markers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
How it was read
read in full text
What the review says it includes
systematic review and meta-analysis
Studies and participants, as stated
N = 174 participants across 8 studies
randomised controlled trial · 2020
Somers et al. (2020) — Acute Effects of Gastrocnemius/Soleus Self-Myofascial Release Versus Dynamic Stretching on Closed-Chain Dorsiflexion.
How it was read
read in full text
randomised controlled trial · 2021
Seçer et al. (2021) — Comparison of Immediate Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching to Only Dynamic Stretching on Flexibility, Balance, and Agility in Male Soccer Players.
How it was read
read in full text
Key sources (8)

Every source below is shown with its study design and links to the original study. This is the audit trail.

systematic reviewThe Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Athletic Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic.B. L. Anderson, R. Harter, James L. Farnsworth (2020) · Journal of sport rehabilitation · 10.1123/jsr.2020-0059 · full text
randomised controlled trialAcute effects of dynamic versus foam rolling warm-up strategies on physical performance in elite tennis playersÁ. López-Samanés, J. Del Coso, J. Hernández-Davó et al. (2021) · Biology of Sport · 10.5114/biolsport.2021.101604 · full text
randomised controlled trialThe Immediate Effects of Self-administered Dynamic Warm-up, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and Foam Rolling on Hamstring TightnessL. Deguzman, S. Flanagan, Shane D. Stecyk, Melissa M. Montgomery (2018) · Athletic Training & Sports Health Care · 10.3928/19425864-20171101-07 · full text
randomised controlled trialThe Acute Effect of Dynamic vs. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching on Sprint and Jump PerformanceNor Fazila Abd Malek, A. Nadzalan, Kevin Tan et al. (2024) · Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology · 10.3390/jfmk9010042 · full text
meta-analysisExamining the Influence of Warm-Up Static and Dynamic Stretching, as well as Post-Activation Potentiation Effects, on the Acute Enhancement of Gymnastic Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.Wenlu Yu, DeSen Feng, Ya Zhong, Xiaohong Luo, Qi Xu, Jiaxiang Yu (2024) · Journal of Sports Science and Medicine · 10.52082/jssm.2024.156 · full text
meta-analysisFoam Rolling is not Superior to dynamic Stretching in Augmenting Muscle Strength and Physical Performance Markers: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisN. Dutta, S. Sharma, D. Khurana, S. Malik, R.K. Sharma (2023) · Muscle Ligaments and Tendons Journal · 10.32098/mltj.01.2023.07 · full text
randomised controlled trialAcute Effects of Gastrocnemius/Soleus Self-Myofascial Release Versus Dynamic Stretching on Closed-Chain Dorsiflexion.K. Somers, Dustin Aune, A. Horten, James T Kim, Julia Rogers (2020) · Journal of sport rehabilitation · 10.1123/jsr.2018-0199 · full text
randomised controlled trialComparison of Immediate Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching to Only Dynamic Stretching on Flexibility, Balance, and Agility in Male Soccer Players.Erhan Seçer, Derya Özer Kaya (2021) · Journal of sport rehabilitation · 10.1123/jsr.2021-0017 · full text
Explore all 567 studies in Flexibility →
The full evidence base this focus area draws on, every study with its design and DOI.
What it is for
Move more freelyPrepare my body before trainingRecover better between efforts
Dynamic Stretching, Foam Rolling, PNF and Post-Activation Strategies: What the Comparisons Measured