Abstract: Objective:to compare the effects of foam rolling exercises and static stretching on the exercise-induced muscle fatigue,and to provide some basis for the application of these two relaxation methods. Methods:subjects were randomly divided into control group C (N=21), foam rolling group F (N=21) and stretching group S (N=21).The subjects in the three groups performed weight bearing squats first, and then received supine rest, foam rolling exercise, and static stretching intervention respectively and were tested on peak torque indicator at five phases: before exercise, immediately after exercise, 0.5 h, 24 h and 48 h. Results:(1) Immediately after exercise, and at 0.5 h, both centripetal peak torque and equal peak torque of the three groups were significantly lower than those before exercise (P＜0.01); (2)There was no significant difference between the three groups at 24 h on centripetal peak torque and equal peak torque (P＞0.05); (3)At 48 h, the centripetal peak torque of Group F (P＜0.01) and Group S (P＜0.05) were significantly higher than that of Group C, and there was significant difference between the three groups on equal peak torque (P＜0.01). Conclusion: (1) Both static stretching and foam rolling exercises have a mitigating effect on exercise-induced muscle fatigue. (2) The effects of foam rolling exercises and static stretching on muscle fatigue begin to appear at 24 h after exercise, and have obvious effects after 48 h. (3) The foam rolling exercises are more beneficial to the recovery of isometric muscle strength than static stretching.

Key words: exercise-induced muscle fatigue, foam rolling exercises, static stretching, muscle strength