Acute structural, functional, and biochemical responses to a high‑ and low‑volume foam rolling exercise on the hamstring muscles: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction & Purpose

Foam rolling (FR) is commonly used to acutely increase local range of motion (ROM) without impairing performance (Konrad et al., 2022a; Konrad et al., 2022b). However, the influence of different FR volumes on local and non-local acute neuromuscular, structural, and biochemical responses remains unclear (Konrad et al., 2024). Therefore, this study investigated the acute effects of low- versus high-volume FR applied to the hamstrings. It was hypothesized that higher FR volumes would induce greater acute adaptations.

Methods

Fifty-seven healthy male participants (age: 25.7 ± 3.4 years; height: 179.1 ± 6.3 cm; weight: 78.1 ± 7.2 kg) were randomly allocated to a high-volume FR group (IG10: 10 min of rolling per posterior thigh; n = 21), a low-volume FR group (IG2: 2 min of rolling per posterior thigh; n = 20), or a control group (CG: 20 min rest; n = 16). The FR intervention consisted of a standardized reverse plank technique with unilateral proximal-distal rolling (3 seconds each direction) on both thighs.
A 5-minute cycle ergometer warm-up, and pre–post testing was completed. Outcome measures included muscle stiffness (MS) of the biceps femoris, sit-and-reach performance (SAR), unilateral maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) during dominant leg flexion, MVIC trunk flexion, bilateral shoulder circumduction (SC), and creatine kinase (CK).

Intervention effects were analysed using linear mixed-effects models including Time, Group, and the Group × Time interaction as fixed effects and participant as a random effect. Šídák-adjusted post-hoc comparisons were performed following significant interactions.

Results

Baseline differences were assessed using one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test. No significant baseline differences were observed for MS, SAR, MVIC, or CK (all p > 0.05), whereas SC differed significantly between groups (F(2,54) = 4.768, p = 0.012). Linear mixed-effects models revealed significant main effects of Time for SAR performance (F(1,54) = 8.374, p = 0.005) and SC (F(1,54) = 9.152, p = 0.004). A significant main effect of Group was observed only for SC (F(2,54) = 4.778, p = 0.012). No significant Group × Time interactions or other Time or Group effects were detected for any outcome variable (all p > 0.05).

Discussion

The overall improvements in SAR and SC may primarily reflect increased stretch tolerance (Nakamura et al., 2021) and movement-related warm-up effects (Wilke et al., 2020) rather than treatment-specific effects of FR, as no significant Group × Time interactions were observed. Furthermore, the absence of changes in MS supports the hypothesis that acute flexibility improvements are predominantly mediated by neurophysiological rather than mechanical mechanisms (Konrad et al., 2023).

Conclusion

Low- and high-volume hamstring FR produced comparable acute responses, with no significant Group × Time interactions for any outcome. Therefore, the present findings do not support a dose–response relationship within the investigated volume range. The absence of changes in MS suggests that flexibility improvements were primarily mediated by neurophysiological rather than mechanical mechanisms. Acute hamstring FR can be incorporated into warm-up routines without compromising maximal isometric strength.

References

Konrad, A., Nakamura, M., & Behm, D. G. (2022a). The Effects of Foam Rolling Training on Performance Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis including Controlled and Randomized Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11638. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811638

Konrad, A., Nakamura, M., Tilp, M., Donti, O., & Behm, D. G. (2022b). Foam Rolling Training Effects on Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 52(10), 2523–2535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01699-8

Konrad, A., Nakamura, M., Warneke, K., Donti, O., & Gabriel, A. (2023). The contralateral effects of foam rolling on range of motion and muscle performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 123(6), 1167–1178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05142-2

Konrad, A., Reiner, M., Manieu, J., Fischer, J., Schöpflin, A., Tilp, M., & Behm, D. G. (2024). The non-local effects of 7-week foot sole static stretching and foam rolling training on shoulder extension range of motion. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1335872

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