Final answer:
Myofascial rolling triggers a mechanical response involving direct manipulation of fascia and muscle, as well as a neurophysiological response, which involves stimulation of sensory receptors and can affect pain perception and muscle tension. These responses are different from DOMS, which is related to muscle soreness from exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two physiological responses that can occur from myofascial rolling are a mechanical response and a neurophysiological response. The mechanical response is a direct manipulation of the fascia and muscle tissue, which may help to realign disorganized fibers, increase blood flow, and promote lymphatic drainage. On the other hand, the neurophysiological response involves the nervous system, where myofascial rolling can stimulate sensory receptors in the muscles and fascia. This stimulation can lead to a reduction in muscle tension and a change in the pain perception by the central nervous system.
These responses can be closely linked to the rate of muscle contraction, as the somatic nervous system can alter muscle contraction speed in response to local conditions. Additionally, the body's ability to respond to mechanical stress, such as rolling, also signifies how the cytoskeleton of the cells actively reorganizes in response to stress, which is a part of mechanotransduction. It's important to differentiate these responses from phenomena such as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is associated with microscopic muscle damage and inflammation from intense exercise, rather than direct effects from myofascial rolling.