Effects of Foam Rolling, Foam Rolling with Dynamic Movement, and Static Stretching on Plantar Flexor Range of Motion and Tissue Properties in Healthy Participants

Determinants of Acute Effects of Stretching Vs. Foam Rolling: Morphological, Sensory and Fluid Responses

Each voluntary participant will be invited and tested at the Functional Assessment Laboratory. After reading and completing the informed consent document regarding our research and data processing, participants will be invited for four separate sessions at the laboratory. During the first session, essential personal information (name, surname, sex, age) will be recorded. Immediately after measuring the participant's height using a stadiometer and weight using a scale, several tests will be conducted to assess pain thresholds and tissue density using specific dynamometers, joint mobility levels of the participants (Passive Muscle Mobility Test and a test using the accelerometer), and a Bioimpedance Analysis to assess body fluids. After a 15-minute rest period, the tests will be repeated to obtain an initial baseline control assessment. The subsequent sessions will involve the same evaluations, which will be conducted before, immediately after, and 15 minutes after the proposed intervention. The proposed interventions will be randomized across the sessions and will alternatively include: a brief session of static stretching on the leg muscles (4 sets of 30 seconds with 15 seconds of rest between sets), a session of static foam rolling (4 sets of 30 seconds with 15 seconds of rest between sets) on the same muscle groups, where pressure is applied to the muscle through the participant's body weight on a foam roller while performing muscle contractions, or dynamic foam rolling, during which the muscle will be rolled over the foam roller.

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy participants, adult participants, active, agreeing to sign the consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants with neuromuscular, orthopedic and gynecological disease (or taking oral contraceptives) or those having injuries of the lower extremities were excluded from the investigation. Female participants were allowed to participate to the experiments only during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle and always before ovulation