Healthy Participants, Healthy Young Adults
Conditions
Keywords
blood pressure, heart rate variability, stiffness, massage roller, range of motion, flexibility, cervical
Brief summary
Foam rolling (FR) is a technique involving the application of external pressure to muscles and connective tissues using different devices (e.g. foam rollers, massage rollers, balls, etc.) , with the aim of reducing muscle tension, soreness, and stiffness, and improving circulation, and flexibility. Emerging evidence suggests that FR may also enhance tissue perfusion and blood flow and could induce a relaxation response, potentially modulating autonomic balance toward increased parasympathetic activity. The cervical region is of particular interest due to the presence of clinically relevant vascular structures, such as the carotid arteries, whose mechanical stimulation may elicit cardiovascular responses. Accordingly, the present study was designed to investigate the acute effects of cervical foam rolling on blood pressure, while simultaneously examining tissue hardness and heart rate variability as potential underlying mediators, and to explore a possible dose-response relationship between foam rolling volume and blood pressure through an inter-set analysis. Additionally, the acute effects of cervical foam rolling on local range of movement were also investigated.
Interventions
OTHERCervical foam rolling
FR condition: Four sets of 45 foam rolls were self-administered, by using a massage roller, on the right posterolateral cervical region, with 45 seconds of recovery between sets.
Sponsors
University of Palermo
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* healthy participants aged 18 years or older
Exclusion criteria
* use of antihypertensive medication; * orthopedic, neurological, renal, metabolic, or cardiovascular disorders.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressure | - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention. | Systolic and diastolic BP were measured by using a validated oscillometric device. During the blood pressure assessment, participants were instructed to remain seated and relaxed. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was subsequently extrapolated using the following formula: MAP=DP+1/3(SP-DP). |
| Tissue Hardness | - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention. | Tissue hardness was collected using a portable tissue hardness meter. In the cervical region, the spinous process of C7 was used as the reference point. Measurements were obtained bilaterally to the C7. |
| Heart rate variability | - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention. | Heart rate variabity was collected using a Polar H10 sensor chest strap device, a device validated for assessment of RR intervals. |
| Cervical range of motion (ROM) | - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention. | Cervical ROM was measured using an inertial measurement unit (GYKO; Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). The accelerometer was secured to the participant's forehead and measured active cervical flexion, extension, right and left rotation, and right and left inclination. |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed