Acute effects of foam rolling on local and remote range of motion: a myofascial perspective?

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the acute local and remote effects of foam rolling (FR) applied to the knee flexors, and its influence on cervical spine range of motion (ROM). Given the anatomical continuity within the superficial back line, outcomes were also assessed at the cervical spine to explore potential myofascial chain-mediated effects. Thirty-seven participants (25.4 ± 4.28 years) completed two conditions: a control condition (CC) and an FR intervention applied exclusively to the right thigh’s knee flexors. Outcome measures reported were collected both locally (right-knee flexors) and remotely (cervical spine) and included skin temperature (TsK), tissue hardness (TH), and ROM, assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention. No significant changes in TsK were observed. TH significantly decreased in the biceps femoris (p < 0.001), semitendinosus/semimembranosus complex (p < 0.001) and right cervical region (p = 0.021), but not in the left cervical region (p = 0.279). All ROM measures showed statistically significant improvements following FR (p < 0.001 to p = 0.006), including right hip flexion, cervical flexion and extension, right and left cervical rotation, and right and left cervical inclination. FR acutely increased ROM both locally and remotely, accompanied by reductions in TH without changes in TsK. Notwithstanding the transmission of forces through myofascial chains remains a plausible explanation, the observed improvements in remote ROM, without a concomitant thermal change, may indicate the contribution of alternative mechanisms, such as neurophysiological adaptations, that warrant further investigation.