{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T05:42:47Z","timestamp":1787031767920,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,25]],"date-time":"2021-08-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1629849600000},"content-version":"am","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["jsportscimed"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Self-massage using foam rollers, sticks, or balls has become a popular technique to enhance joint range of motion (ROM). Although increases are reported to be larger in females than males, the mechanisms of this observation are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of roller massage (RM) on ROM, passive tissue stiffness, and neurophysiological markers as a function of sex. Males (n = 15, 22.8 \u00b1 2.9 yrs.) and females (n = 14, 21.1 \u00b1 0.7 yrs.) performed three 60-second bouts of calf RM. Outcomes assessed pre-, and post-intervention included passive dorsiflexion (DF) ROM, passive tissue stiffness, passive torque, DF angle at the first stretch sensation, shear elastic modulus, and spinal excitability. DF ROM (+35.9 %), passive torque at DF ROM (+46.4 %), DF angle at first stretch sensation (+32.9 %), and pain pressure threshold (+25.2 %) increased in both groups (p&lt;.05) with no differences between males and females (p &gt; 0.05). No changes were observed for passive stiffness, shear elastic modulus, and spinal excitability (p &gt; 0.05). Roller massage may increase ROM independently of sex, which, in the present study, could not be ascribed to alterations in passive stiffness or neurophysiological markers. Future studies may further elucidate the role of sensory alterations as possible factors driving RM-induced changes in flexibility.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.52082\/jssm.2021.665","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,26]],"date-time":"2021-08-26T03:00:38Z","timestamp":1629946838000},"page":"665-671","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Sex Differences in the Mechanical and Neurophysiological Response to Roller Massage of the Plantar Flexors"],"prefix":"10.52082","author":[{"given":"Masatoshi","family":"Nakamura","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andreas","family":"Konrad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kiyono","family":"Ryosuke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shigeru","family":"Sato","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kaoru","family":"Yahata","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Riku","family":"Yoshida","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuta","family":"Murakami","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Futaba","family":"Sanuki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jan","family":"Wilke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"29163","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Aboodarda S.J., Spence A.J., Button D.C. (2015) Pain pressure threshold of a muscle tender spot increases following local and non-local rolling massage. BioMed Central Musculoskelet Disord 16, 265.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1186\/s12891-015-0729-5"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Baumgart C., Freiwald J., K\u00fchnemann M., Hotfiel T., H\u00fcttel M., Hoppe M.W. (2019) Foam Rolling of the Calf and Anterior Thigh: Biomechanical Loads and Acute Effects on Vertical Jump Height and Muscle Stiffness. Sports (Basel) 7, 27.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/sports7010027"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Behm D.G., Alizadeh S., Hadjizadeh Anvar S., Mahmoud M.M.I., Ramsay E., Hanlon C., Cheatham S. (2020) Foam Rolling Prescription: A Clinical Commentary. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 34, 3301-3308.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000003765"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Behm D.G., Wilke J. (2019) Do Self-Myofascial Release Devices Release Myofascia? Rolling Mechanisms: A Narrative Review. Sports Medicine 49, 1173-1181.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-019-01149-y"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Blazevich A.J., Cannavan D., Waugh C.M., Miller S.C., Thorlund J.B., Aagaard P., Kay A.D. (2014) Range of motion, neuromechanical, and architectural adaptations to plantar flexor stretch training in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology 117, 452-462.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00204.2014"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Cavanaugh M.T., D\u00f6weling A., Young J.D., Quigley P.J., Hodgson D.D., Whitten J.H., Reid J.C., Aboodarda S.J., Behm D.G. (2017) An acute session of roller massage prolongs voluntary torque development and diminishes evoked pain. European Journal of Applied Physiology 117, 109-117.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-016-3503-y"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Cheatham S.W., Stull K.R. (2019) Roller massage: Comparison of three different surface type pattern foam rollers on passive knee range of motion and pain perception. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 23, 555-560.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2019.05.002"},{"key":"ref7","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Cohen, J. (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences.,Hillsdale, Routledge."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Czuppon S., Prather H., Hunt D.M., Steger-May K., Bloom N.J., Clohisy J.C., Larsen R., Harris-Hayes M. (2017) Gender-Dependent Differences in Hip Range of Motion and Impingement Testing in Asymptomatic College Freshman Athletes. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 9, 660-667.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmrj.2016.10.022"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine de Benito A.M., Valldecabres R., Ceca D., Richards J., Barrachina Igual J., Pablos A. (2019) Effect of vibration vs non-vibration foam rolling techniques on flexibility, dynamic balance and perceived joint stability after fatigue. PeerJ 7, e8000.  Crossref","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.8000"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Fleckenstein J., Wilke J., Vogt L., Banzer W. (2017) Preventive and Regenerative Foam Rolling are Equally Effective in Reducing Fatigue-Related Impairments of Muscle Function following Exercise. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 16, 474-479.  Pubmed","DOI":"10.1249\/01.mss.0000486497.87381.05"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Grabow L., Young J.D., Alcock L.R., Quigley P.J., Byrne J.M., Granacher U., \u0160karabot J., Behm D.G. (2018) Higher Quadriceps Roller Massage Forces Do Not Amplify Range-of-Motion Increases nor Impair Strength and Jump Performance. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 32, 3059-3069.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000001906"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Hermens H.J., Freriks B., Disselhorst-Klug C., Rau G. (2000) Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 10, 361-374.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/s1050-6411(00)00027-4"},{"key":"ref13","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Kelly S., Beardsley C. (2016) Specific and cross-over effects of foam rolling on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 11, 544-551."},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Kim S.J., Lee J.H. (2018) Effects of sternocleidomastoid muscle and suboccipital muscle soft tissue release on muscle hardness and pressure pain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users with latent trigger points. Medicine (Baltimore) 97, e12133.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1097\/md.0000000000012133"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Kiyono R., Onuma R., Yasaka K., Sato S., Yahata K., Nakamura M. (2020a) Effects of 5-Week Foam Rolling Intervention on Range of Motion and Muscle Stiffness. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000003757"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Kiyono R., Sato S., Inaba K., Yahata K., Nakamura M. (2020b) Time course of changes in range of motion, muscle shear elastic modulus, spinal excitability, and muscle temperature during superficial icing. Sport Sciences for Health 17, 341-346.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1007\/s11332-020-00693-9"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Konrad A., Stafilidis S., Tilp M. (2017) Effects of acute static, ballistic, and PNF stretching exercise on the muscle and tendon tissue properties. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 27, 1070-1080.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.12725"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Konrad A., Tilp M. (2014) Effects of ballistic stretching training on the properties of human muscle and tendon structures. Journal of Applied Physiology 117, 29-35.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00195.2014"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Krause F., Wilke J., Niederer D., Vogt L., Banzer W. (2019) Acute effects of foam rolling on passive stiffness, stretch sensation and fascial sliding: A randomized controlled trial. Human Movement Science 67, 102514.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2019.102514"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine MacDonald G.Z., Penney M.D., Mullaley M.E., Cuconato A.L., Drake C.D., Behm D.G., Button D.C. (2013) An acute bout of self-myofascial release increases range of motion without a subsequent decrease in muscle activation or force. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 27, 812-821.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0b013e31825c2bc1"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Mayer I., Hoppe M.W., Freiwald J., Heiss R., Engelhardt M., Grim C., Lutter C., Huettel M., Forst R., Hotfiel T. (2019) Different Effects of Foam Rolling on Passive Tissue Stiffness in Experienced and Nonexperienced Athletes. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 29, 926-933.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2019-0172"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Morales-Artacho A.J., Lacourpaille L., Guilhem G. (2017) Effects of warm-up on hamstring muscles stiffness: Cycling vs foam rolling. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 27, 1959-1969.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.12832"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Naderi A., Rezvani M.H., Degens H. (2020) Foam Rolling and Muscle and Joint Proprioception After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Journal of Athletic Training 55, 58-64.  Crossref","DOI":"10.4085\/1062-6050-459-18"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Nakamura M., Kiyono R., Sato S., Yahata K., Fukaya T., Nishishita S., Konrad A. (2021a) The Associations between Rapid Strength Development and Muscle Stiffness in Older Population. Healthcare (Basel) 9, 80.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare9010080"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Nakamura M., Sato S., Kiyono R., Takahashi N., Yoshida T. (2019) Effect of Rest Duration Between Static Stretching on Passive Stiffness of Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle in vivo. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 29, 578-582.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2018-0376"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Nakamura M., Sato S., Kiyono R., Yahata K., Yoshida R., Fukaya T., Konrad A. (2021b) Comparison of the Acute Effects of Hold-Relax and Static Stretching among Older Adults. Biology) 10, 126.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/biology10020126"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Nakamura M., Yasaka K., Kiyono R., Onuma R., Yahata K., Sato S., Konrad A. (2020) The Acute Effect of Foam Rolling on Eccentrically-Induced Muscle Damage. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, 75-.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18010075"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Romero-Moraleda B., Gonz\u00e1lez-Garc\u00eda J., Cu\u00e9llar-Rayo \u00c1., Balsalobre-Fern\u00e1ndez C., Mu\u00f1oz-Garc\u00eda D., Morencos E. (2019) Effects of Vibration and Non-Vibration Foam Rolling on Recovery after Exercise with Induced Muscle Damage. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 18, 172-180.  Pubmed","DOI":"10.3390\/sports7040080"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Saeki J., Ikezoe T., Yoshimi S., Nakamura M., Ichihashi N. (2019) Menstrual cycle variation and gender difference in muscle stiffness of triceps surae. Clinical Biomechanics 61, 222-226.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2018.12.013"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Sato S., Kiyono R., Takahashi N., Yoshida T., Takeuchi K., Nakamura M. (2020) The acute and prolonged effects of 20-s static stretching on muscle strength and shear elastic modulus. Plos One 15, e0228583.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0228583"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Skinner B., Moss R., Hammond L. (2020) A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of foam rolling on range of motion, recovery and markers of athletic performance. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 24, 105-122.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2020.01.007"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Stutzig N., Siebert T. (2017) Assessment of the H-reflex at two contraction levels before and after fatigue. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 27, 399-407.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.12663"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Wiewelhove T., D\u00f6weling A., Schneider C., Hottenrott L., Meyer T., Kellmann M., Pfeiffer M., Ferrauti A. (2019) A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Foam Rolling on Performance and Recovery. Frontiers Physiology 10, 376.  Crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2019.00376"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Wilke J., M\u00fcller A.L., Giesche F., Power G., Ahmedi H., Behm D.G. (2020) Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Range of Motion in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review with Multilevel Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine 50, 387-402.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-019-01205-7"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Wilke J., Niemeyer P., Niederer D., Schleip R., Banzer W. (2019) Influence of Foam Rolling Velocity on Knee Range of Motion and Tissue Stiffness: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 28, 711-715.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2018-0041"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Yoshimura A., Schleip R., Hirose N. (2020) Effects of Self-Massage Using a Foam Roller on Ankle Range of Motion and Gastrocnemius Fascicle Length and Muscle Hardness: A Pilot Study. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 29, 1171-1178.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2019-0281"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Young J.D., Spence A.J., Behm D.G. (2018) Roller massage decreases spinal excitability to the soleus. Journal of Applied Physiology 124, 950-959.  Crossref","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00732.2017"}],"container-title":["Journal of Sports Science and Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","deposited":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,26]],"date-time":"2021-08-26T03:00:48Z","timestamp":1629946848000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.jssm.org\/jssm-20-665.xml%3EFulltext"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,25]]},"references-count":38,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.52082\/jssm.2021.665","archive":["Internet Archive"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1303-2968"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1303-2968","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,8,25]]}}}