Final answer:
Myofascial rolling impacts muscle tension and elasticity through the action on stress fibers, affecting actin-myosin interactions and potentially leading to changes in muscle contraction and relaxation. This technique additionally increases blood flow to the area, which promotes recovery and reduces inflammation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Myofascial rolling, often referred to as foam rolling, is a self-myofascial release technique that athletes and therapists use to release muscle tightness or trigger points. This method involves applying pressure to specific points on your body, aiding in the recovery of muscles and assisting in returning them to normal function. Normal function refers to your muscles being elastic, healthy, and ready to perform at a moment's notice.
Neurophysiologically, myofascial rolling can have a significant effect on the body. It is suggested that the pressure from the rolling can lead to a response in the nervous system that may help to reduce tension and increase muscle length by altering the muscle contraction mechanism. Stress fibers within the muscles possess actin-myosin interactions, similar to those seen during muscle contractions. When you apply rolling pressure, the stress on these fibers may lead to changes in tension and elasticity, as indicated in studies related to cyclic stretch and muscle tension.
The molecularly-based models reference the interaction between actin and myosin within stress fibers, pointing to how changes in tension or elasticity could occur through molecular and mechanical modifications during myofascial rolling. The orientation of stress fibers adjusts in response to cyclic stretch. This is highly relevant to myofascial rolling, which results in cyclic stretching of muscle tissue. Studies have shown that movements mediated by stress fibers are crucial for distributing cellular components, hinting at the deeper metabolic and structural changes that could occur from rolling.