A Review of the Physiological Effects of Foam Rolling on Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

As a commonly employed modality for self-myofascial release, foam rolling is widely used in sports rehabilitation and physical training. This article analyzes the physiological effects of foam rolling on skeletal muscle and explores its potential mechanisms. After retrieving PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and Embase, and manually screening references, a total of 16 randomized controlled trials, 4 systematic reviews or mechanism reviews, 2 survey studies, and 3 other primary studies were finally included. Available evidence suggests that acute foam rolling is generally associated with improved joint range of motion, whereas muscle strength and explosive performance generally show acute inhibitory trends, consistent with a transient neurophysiological response. Foam rolling appears to have limited direct effects on muscle activation, although it may support recovery-related neuromuscular function in specific settings. It may also alleviate delayed-onset muscle soreness and improve pain-related or hemodynamic responses, but these effects appear to be context-dependent. Its mechanisms involve multifactorial interactions, including myofascial release, mechanoreceptor activation, and hemodynamic regulation. Limitations of existing studies include small sample sizes, heterogeneous intervention protocols, and short follow-up periods. Future research should adopt large-sample, long-term designs to determine optimal intervention parameters and confirm efficacy in clinical populations.