Remote effects of a 7-week combined stretching and foam rolling training intervention of the plantar foot sole on the function and structure of the triceps surae

Abstract

It is known that a single bout of foam rolling (FR) or stretching can induce changes in range of motion (ROM) and performance in non-directly adjoining areas of the dorsal chain (i.e., remote effects). However, to date, it is not known if such effects exist following long-term interventions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the remote effects of a 7-week combined stretching and FR training intervention of the plantar foot sole. Thirty-eight recreational athletes were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 20) or control (n = 18) group. The intervention group performed stretching and FR exercises of the plantar foot sole for 7 weeks. Before and after the intervention, the dorsiflexion ankle ROM, passive resistive torque at maximum angle (PRTmax) and at a fixed angle, as well as maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque, were measured with a dynamometer. Gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis stiffness was assessed with shear wave elastography. The results showed no interaction effect for any of the parameters. There was a time effect indicating an increase in MVIC and PRTmax, which was more pronounced in the intervention group (+ 7.4 (95% CI 2.5–12.4), + 4.5 (95% CI − 0.2–9.2)) than the control group (+ 3.6 (95% CI − 1.4–8.6), + 4.0 (95% CI − 2.2 to 10.2)). The results indicate no or minor remote effects of combined stretching and FR of the foot sole in the ankle joint. Potential non-significant changes in ROM were accompanied with an increase in stretch tolerance, but not with changes in muscle structure.

Seven weeks of pectoralis muscle stretching does not induce non‐local effects in dorsiflexion ankle range of motion

“…However, Konrad et al (2023) only found a statistically non-significant, moderate magnitude (p = 0.08, d = 0.5) increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Consequently, according to the previous study of Konrad et al (2023) as well as of the findings in our current study, chronic ROM increases in non-treated areas (except for homologous contralateral effects) are very unlikely.…”

“…Since foam rolling and stretching seem to have similar acute and chronic effects on ROM Wilke et al, 2020) the study of Konrad et al (2023) can be considered as relevant for our current data. However, Konrad et al (2023) only found a statistically non-significant, moderate magnitude (p = 0.08, d = 0.5) increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Consequently, according to the previous study of Konrad et al (2023) as well as of the findings in our current study, chronic ROM increases in non-treated areas (except for homologous contralateral effects) are very unlikely.…”

“…Besides the chronic contralateral homologous effects of stretching not much is known about non-local heterologous changes in ROM following stretch training. One recent study (Konrad et al, 2023) performed a 7 week stretch and foam rolling treatment of the plantar fascia and investigated a potential remote effect on the ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Since foam rolling and stretching seem to have similar acute and chronic effects on ROM Wilke et al, 2020) the study of Konrad et al (2023) can be considered as relevant for our current data.…”

“…One recent study (Konrad et al, 2023) performed a 7 week stretch and foam rolling treatment of the plantar fascia and investigated a potential remote effect on the ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Since foam rolling and stretching seem to have similar acute and chronic effects on ROM Wilke et al, 2020) the study of Konrad et al (2023) can be considered as relevant for our current data. However, Konrad et al (2023) only found a statistically non-significant, moderate magnitude (p = 0.08, d = 0.5) increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM.…”

“…Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a comprehensive 7-week static stretching program for the pectoralis muscles, performed 3-times per week for 15-min per session, on ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Based on the limited literature examining non-local heterologous muscle ROM effects following stretching combined with foam rolling (Konrad et al, 2023), we hypothesized that the static stretching program of the pectoralis major would not induce significant changes in ankle dorsiflexion ROM.…”