The effect of foam roller on injury recovery in terms of increased joint range, decreased pain, and improved movement function in football: A literature review

Abstract

The sport of football often leads to injuries during training or competition due to both non-contact and contact incidents. Non-contact injuries are particularly common among football athletes due to the overuse of muscle tissue and joints, leading to injuries that interfere with the athlete’s physical activities. This research investigates the effects of foam rolling in the injury recovery process. Methods: Qualitative research with a literature review based on the PRISMA model, analyzing articles from 2018 to 2024. A total of 132 articles were initially identified, which were then narrowed down to 10 articles from sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. Results: The findings from these 10 articles, which utilized samples and experimental models, indicate that foam rollers significantly increase the range of motion, enhance movement function, and decrease pain. Foam rolling can be effectively utilized in pre-match, post-match, and post-injury recovery scenarios. Conclusion: Proper and well-measured use of foam rollers can increase joint range, enhance movement function, and reduce pain in injury recovery, both in acute and chronic conditions according to physiological mechanisms. References from this literature review can serve as a basis for further research to refine the foam roller program in terms of intensity, indicators, and duration in injury recovery efforts.