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. However, to date, no study has investigated both jointly.
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. Thus, therapists and exercise professionals may consider applying remote treatments if local loading is contraindicated.
Improving flexibility is a frequent goal in sports. Besides representing a potential hallmark of athletic performance, it may also be related to injury risk.
Previous studies reported an association of low flexibility Witvrouw et al. Besides stretching and mobility exercise, rolling massage RM is another popular self-treatment to increase flexibility. In essence, it uses various tools such as polypropylene rollers then called foam rolling , massagers, balls, and other similar devices to apply a compressive force to the soft tissue of the targeted body region.
Previous studies Krause et al. 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, ; Behm et al. Although foam rolling appears to be a useful technique for athletes, its mechanisms remain a matter of debate.
