Abstract
In sports and clinical settings, roller massage (RM) interventions are used to acutely increase range of motion (ROM); however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Apart from changes in soft tissue properties (i.e., reduced passive stiffness), neurophysiological alterations such as decreased spinal excitability have been described. However, to date, no study has investigated both jointly. The purpose of this trial was to examine RM’s effects on neurophysiological markers and passive tissue properties of the plantar flexors in the treated (ROLL) and non-treated (NO-ROLL) leg. Fifteen healthy individuals (23 ± 3 years, eight females) performed three unilateral 60-s bouts of calf RM. This procedure was repeated four times on separate days to allow independent assessments of the following outcomes without reciprocal interactions: dorsiflexion ROM, passive torque during passive dorsiflexion, shear elastic modulus of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, and spinal excitability. Following RM, dorsiflexion ROM increased in both ROLL (+19.7%) and NO-ROLL (+13.9%). Similarly, also passive torque at dorsiflexion ROM increased in ROLL (+15.0%) and NO-ROLL (+15.2%). However, there were no significant changes in shear elastic modulus and spinal excitability (p > 0.05). Moreover, significant correlations were observed between the changes in DF ROM and passive torque at DF ROM in both ROLL and NO-ROLL. Changes in ROM after RM appear to be the result of sensory changes (e.g., passive torque at DF ROM), affecting both rolled and non-rolled body regions. Thus, therapists and exercise professionals may consider applying remote treatments if local loading is contraindicated.
Highlights
Improving flexibility is a frequent goal in sports
The outcome variables consisted of two measurement trials, e.g., one trial was composed of passive tissue property measurements (DF range of motion (ROM), passive torque, and shear elastic modulus) and pressure pain threshold (PPT), and the other trial was composed of H/M recruitment curve measurement
This study investigated the effect of roller massage (RM) on DF ROM, passive torque, shear elastic modulus, PPT, and H/M ratio on both the intervention and non-intervention sides
Summary
Improving flexibility is a frequent goal in sports. Besides representing a potential hallmark of athletic performance, it may be related to injury risk. Previous studies (Krause et al, 2019; Wilke et al, 2019, 2020; Behm et al, 2020) have shown an immediate increase in range of motion (ROM) following foam rolling and revealed the absence of changes in athletic performance (Macdonald et al, 2013; Behara and Jacobson, 2017). This is relevant because static stretching for more than 60 s can likely decrease muscle strength and athletic performance if performed isometrically (Kay and Blazevich, 2012; Behm et al, 2016, 2021). The initial assumptions that RM may primarily cause alterations of the mechanical soft tissue properties have been questioned (Behm and Wilke, 2019)
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