149) What Exercise Interventions Might Combat Pain and Flexibility after Sedentary Activity in College Students

Sedentary activity is a concern for students and can decrease lumbar range of motion (LROM) and increase lower back pain (LBP). Standard foam rolling is a popular intervention to increase ROM; however, vibrating foam rollers are relatively unexplored for their potential to combat pain and inflexibility after sedentary time. This study compares 3 interventions (self-paced walking [W], foam rolling [R], or vibrating foam rolling [VR]) on pain and flexibility in college students after sedentary activity. Healthy students (18-26 years) were recruited for 1 session. Participants sat x 50 minutes and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) and homework. Post-Sedentary self-reported pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), LROM for flexion (F) and extension (E) via Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMST), and hip ROM for extension (EXT), internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER) were measured. Participants were randomly assigned to a 15-minute intervention of either W, R, or VR with 1-on-1 instruction. Post-Intervention and final pain, LROM and hip ROM were measured. Changes in pain, LROM and hip ROM were compared via ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni ( p p =0.014) in contrast to the R (0.6±2.7) but not to the W (-0.4±1.0). Changes in lumbar F and E and hip EXT and IR were similar between the groups but hip ER was greater (F=6.728, p =0.007) in the VR over the R (W: 1.3±7.6°, R: -4.6±5.2°, VR: 7.7±5.9°, p =0.014). In an acute timeframe after sedentary activity, VR could provide an alternative exercise option to decrease acute pain and increase hip ROM after sedentary time. Future research should incorporate assessment of pain and ROM for multiple days post-intervention.