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Acute Effects of Self-myofascial Release using a Foam Roller on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Young Adults

Artery Research volume 26, pages 219–222 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether a single bout of Self-myofascial Release (SMR) has a beneficial effect on peripheral and central Blood Pressure (BP) and different parameters of arterial stiffness. Twenty nine healthy male recreational athletes (26.1 ± 2.9 years, BMI 23.4 ± 1.5 kg/m2) completed an instructed SMR using a foam roller. Peripheral and central BP and different parameters of arterial stiffness were measured noninvasively before SMR and at different time points (t1, t15, t30) during a subsequent 30-min recovery phase. There was a significant decrease in both systolic (t15, −2.36 ± 4.45 mmHg, p = 0.05; t30, −4.01 ± 4.47 mmHg, p = 0.003) and diastolic (t30, −2.45 ± 5.45 mmHg, p = 0.025) peripheral pressure during the recovery phase after SMR. Regarding central BP, only systolic pressure showed a significant decrease (t30, −3.64 ± 5.83 mmHg, p = 0.003). Mean arterial pressure (t15, −1.91 ± 3.36, p = 0.03; t30, −3.05 ± 2.88 mmHg, p < 0.001), augmentation pressure (t30, −1.60 ± 2.40 mmHg, p = 0.009), peripheral resistance (t30, −0.09 ± 0.10 s* mmHg/ml, p < 0.001), and stiffness index β0 (t30, −0.33 ± 0.55, p = 0.021) were significantly reduced after SMR. No significant changes were determined for reflection coefficient, augmentation index, cardiac output, and heart rate, respectively. SMR showed effects on peripheral and central BP and different parameters of arterial stiffness in healthy young adults.

Abstract

  • A single bout of self-myofascial release confers favourable cardiovascular benefits.

  • Self-myofascial release induces mechanical stress to the vascular system.

  • Effects on vascular function is comparable to the effects after a bout of exercise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Sports Science, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

    Sascha Ketelhut, Martin Möhle & Kuno Hottenrott

  2. Institute for Performance Diagnostics and Health Promotion, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

    Martin Möhle & Kuno Hottenrott

Authors
  1. Sascha Ketelhut
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  2. Martin Möhle
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  3. Kuno Hottenrott
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Correspondence to Sascha Ketelhut.

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Peer review under responsibility of the Association for Research into Arterial Structure and Physiology

Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [SK], upon reasonable request.

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Ketelhut, S., Möhle, M. & Hottenrott, K. Acute Effects of Self-myofascial Release using a Foam Roller on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Young Adults. Artery Res 26, 219–222 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2991/artres.k.200615.001

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/artres.k.200615.001

Keywords

Artery Research

ISSN: 1876-4401

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