Acute local and remote responses to foam rolling: An inter-set and contralateral thermographic analysis

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of foam rolling (FR) on both local (right hip) and contralateral (left hip) ROM associated with each respective tissue hardness (TH) and skin temperature (TsK) responses both locally (right hamstrings) and contralaterally (left hamstrings). Methods Thirty-seven participants completed two conditions: control (CC) and foam rolling (FR; 4 × 30 rolls targeting the right hamstrings). Outcomes included TsK, TH, and ROM, assessed both locally and contralaterally. TsK was measured at baseline and after each FR set, or every 30 s during CC. TH and ROM were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention. Results FR significantly increased ROM both locally and contralaterally (p < 0.001). In the treated limb, ROM gains were accompanied by a reduction in TH (p = 0.017) and a TsK rise emerging only after the fourth FR set (p = 0.031). Contralateral ROM improved (p < 0.001) without concurrent changes in TH or TsK. Conclusion FR elicited a significant acute ROM increase in both treated and contralateral limbs. In the treated limb, a minimum of four sets was required to evoke a measurable thermal response, as indicated by TsK. The local ROM enhancement was also accompanied by a decrease in TH. Conversely, the contralateral ROM gain occurred without alterations in TsK or TH, implying the involvement of alternative mechanisms. These findings suggest that FR may elicit remote effects, offering a potential alternative when direct application is limited by pain or injury. Future studies should clarify the mechanisms driving contralateral ROM enhancements.