PURPOSE: Research evidence has shown hemispheric specialization in the utilization of proprioception. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect vibrating foam roller exercise (VFRE) on bilateral ankle proprioception in recreational basketball players (RBP).METHODS: This was a randomized cross-over study. Twenty-two right-footed male RBP (Age=23.6±0.3) volunteered. After baseline assessment of ankle proprioception in barefoot, RBP were randomly assigned to either vibrating the peroneal muscle (VFRE-p, n=11) or the gastrocnemius muscle (VFRE-g, n=11) group. Bilateral ankle proprioception was re-assessed after VFRE. After 24h washout, the two groups swapped exercise and bilateral ankle proprioception was re-assessed. The VFRE for each muscle group was 3×30s vibration at the frequency of 50 Hz, with a 30s rest between sets. Ankle proprioception was measured by active movement extent discrimination apparatus (AMEDA). Repeated measures and Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the data.RESULTS: There was no significant Side (R=0.411, p=0.057), Muscle or Time effect (F=0.826, p=0.445; F=0.441, p=0.647, respectively). However, when RBP were divided into superior (SG, n=11) and inferior (IG, n=11) groups, according to the median of bilateral ankle proprioception, we found: 1) the dominant right ankle proprioception worsen significantly after both VFRE-p (p=0.022) and VFRE-g (p=0.02) in the SG, but not in the IG (F=1.748, p=0.2); 2) the non-dominant left ankle proprioception improved significantly after both VFRE-p (p=0.046) and VFRE-g (p=0.01) in the IG, but not in the SG (F=1.461, p=0.256). These findings suggest that VFRE can impair the dominant right ankle proprioceptive performance in those who initially have superior proprioception, and conversely improve the non-dominant left ankle proprioceptive performance in those who initially have inferior proprioception.CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed a novel hemispheric specialization effect in proprioceptive information processing associated with VFRE. Specifically, VFRE affects proprioception of the dominant and non-dominant hemispheric systems differently suggesting that the clinical application of VFRE should be considered regarding each individual’s initial ankle proprioception and footedness.