Author(s): PINTO, G., DI BARTOLO, L., SCARDINA, A., NAKAMURA, M., WARNEKE, K., PATTI, A., BELLAFIORE, M., BIANCO, A., THOMAS, E., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF PALERMO, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 1853

INTRODUCTION:
Foam rolling (FR) is widely used to enhance joint range of motion (ROM). However, limited evidence is available regarding the remote effects of FR. Thus, this study aims to examine the acute local and remote effects of FR, with this being performed on the right knee flexors (RKF) and relevant outcomes being also measured in the cervical spine.
METHODS:
Eighteen participants (26.3±4.87 years, 169±9.63 cm, 66.4±14.5 kg) were recruited. Each participant underwent two conditions in a randomized order: a control (CC) and a FR intervention. In the FR session, participants performed 4 sets of 30 rolls (15 in each direction) with a 30 seconds rest between sets in the RKF using a GRID surface roller. Outcome measures were skin temperature (TsK), tissue hardness (TH) and ROM. Data were assessed upon arrival (T0) and immediately after the sessions (T1). The environmental temperature was standardized at 24° C. Before starting the first session, anthropometric measures were taken. Participants then underwent a 15-minute acclimatization period lying on a medical bed in a prone position. Afterward, TsK and TH were measured in the RKF (both the biceps femoris [BF] and semitendinosus [ST]) and the cervical region (to the right and left of C7) using an infrared thermal camera and a portable TH meter, respectively. Then, active hip flexion and cervical (flexion, extension, rotation and inclination movements) ROM were measured using a Gyko inertial sensor system. In the CC session no intervention was applied, and participants were asked to lie on a medical bed in a prone position for 4 minutes. Immediately after each session, all measurements were re-evaluated (T1) and compared to the T0.
RESULTS:
Our results showed that hip flexion (p<0.001), cervical flexion and extension (p<0.001), right and left rotation (p<0.001), as well as right (p<0.001) and left (p=0.003) inclination ROM, significantly increased only for the FR intervention. Conversely, TH significantly decreased in BF, ST (p=<0.001) and right cervical region (p=0.030) but not in left cervical region (p=0.287) for FR. Lastly, RKF TsK significantly decreased (p=0.019) for CC, while no effect was observed (p=0.242) for FR, with no changes in cervical TsK.
CONCLUSION:
The FR intervention acutely improved local (right hip flexion) and remote (cervical) ROM. A reduction of tissue hardness was associated with the ROM increase both locally and in a remote region, with no variations in skin temperature. Our results suggest that the remote ROM improvement may be attributed to strain transfer along a myofascial meridian rather than a warm-up effect.