AUTHOR=Konrad Andreas , Reiner Marina , Manieu Josefina , Fischer Josef , Schöpflin Adrian , Tilp Markus , Behm David G. 

TITLE=The non-local effects of 7-week foot sole static stretching and foam rolling training on shoulder extension range of motion

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2023

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1335872

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2023.1335872

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Static stretching and foam rolling can increase the range of motion (ROM) of a joint acutely as well as chronically. Although studies have reported ROM increases of a non-stretched heterologous muscle (non-local) following an acute static stretching or foam rolling session, these effects have not been studied for long-term training interventions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a comprehensive 7-week static stretching and foam rolling training program of the foot sole on shoulder extension ROM. 
Thirty-three healthy, physically active participants (20 male) were assigned to either the intervention (n=19) or control (n=14) group. The intervention group performed a 7-week combined static stretching and foam rolling intervention comprised of three sessions a week, including three exercises of the foot sole for 5-min each. Before and after the intervention period, shoulder extension ROM was tested with 3D motion caption. Level of significance for all statistical analyses was set to ρ≤0.05. 
There was no significant time (p=0.70, F1,31=0.157; η2=0.005) or time x group effect (p=0.38, F1,31=0.785; η2=0.025) in shoulder extension ROM, indicating no ROM changes in the intervention or the control group. 
Although previous studies on the acute effects of stretching and foam rolling reported non-local increases in ROM in heterologous muscles, this study could show that such effects do not occur after chronic SS and foam rolling training for seven weeks. Consequently, if the goal is to chronically increase the ROM of a specific joint it is recommended to directly treat the muscles of interest.