Foam Rolling, Blood Pressure and Range of Motion

NCT07433543 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 60625-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Healthy Young Adults; Healthy Participants

Keywords

blood pressure; heart rate variability; stiffness; massage roller; range of motion; flexibility; cervical

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressure

  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).

  - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention.

• Tissue Hardness

  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.

  - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention.

• Heart rate variability

  Heart rate variabity was collected using a Polar H10 sensor chest strap device, a device validated for assessment of RR intervals.

  - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention.

• Cervical range of motion (ROM)

  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.

  - Day 1: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention; - Day 2: Baseline (upon arrival) and immediately post-intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Cervical foam rolling

EXPERIMENTAL

Four sets of 45 foam rolls were self-administered on the right posterolateral cervical region, with 45 seconds of recovery between sets.

Other: Cervical foam rolling

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control condition remained seated for 6 minutes, matching the duration of the FR intervention protocol.

Interventions

Cervical foam rolling OTHER

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.

Cervical foam rolling

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• healthy participants aged 18 years or older

You may not qualify if:

• use of antihypertensive medication;
• orthopedic, neurological, renal, metabolic, or cardiovascular disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Palermo: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Palermo

Palermo, Italy

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ewan Thomas - Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Educational Science, and Human Movement

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 7, 2026
• First Posted: February 25, 2026
• Study Start: May 26, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 30, 2025
• Study Completion: July 31, 2025
• Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

IT (1)