Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching

This randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-group comparative trial investigated the acute effects of foam rolling (FR) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching used as warm-up strategies in amateur athletes. Following a standardized 5-minute aerobic cycling warm-up, participants were randomly allocated to either a foam rolling group or a PNF stretching group. Hamstring flexibility was the prespecified primary outcome. Isometric knee flexion strength, vertical jump performance, pressure pain threshold, and intervention-related perceived exertion were assessed as secondary outcomes. All performance outcomes were assessed before and immediately after the assigned intervention.