Association Between Reductions in Tissue Hardness and Acute Decreases in Blood Pressure Following Roller Massage: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Roller massage (RM), frequently described within the broader framework of self-myofascial release, has emerged as a widely adopted modality among rehabilitation practitioners and physically active populations. Previous investigations on RM have reported improvements in joint range of motion, small to trivial enhancements in selected performance measures, attenuation of exercise-induced muscle soreness, and reductions in pain perception. While the evidence base supporting mobility, performance, muscle soreness and pain sensitivity adaptations is relatively well developed, considerably less attention has been directed toward the blood pressure responses to RM and the potential underlying mechanisms. Consequently, the physiological impact of RM on cardiovascular regulation remains insufficiently characterized and requires further systematic investigation. An acute reduction in blood pressure may be postulated, potentially mediated by mechanisms involving changes in total peripheral resistance, which could be linked to modifications in tissue mechanical characteristics. In parallel, a contributory role of autonomic regulation cannot be excluded, as shifts in sympathetic and parasympathetic activity may also influence cardiovascular responses.