Foam Rolling, Blood Pressure and Range of Motion

Acute Blood Pressure and Range of Motion Responses to Cervical Foam Rolling: a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Participants; Healthy Young Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Cervical foam rolling

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Palermo, Italy
    • University of Palermo

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy participants aged 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cervical foam rolling; 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; 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.
No Intervention: Control; Participants in the control condition remained seated for 6 minutes, matching the duration of the FR intervention protocol.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Palermo

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 26, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): July 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 7, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 25, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 21, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: blood pressure; stiffness; heart rate variability; flexibility; range of motion; cervical; massage roller
• Other Study ID Numbers: 60625-2025

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No