Effect of Manual Massage, Foam Rolling, and Strength Training on Cardiovascular Responses in Adults: A Scoping Review

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to review the cardiovascular responses after experimental conditions of massage – manual (MM) or with foam rolling (FR) – combined or not with strength training in healthy adults. Methods: A search was performed in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed®, and SciELO databases on January 29, 2025. Results: Among the 214 studies retrieved in the database search, 6 were selected for the present review. The included studies pointed to an improvement in cardiovascular responses characterized reduced in arterial stiffness and blood pressure and an increase in nitric oxide concentration and blood flow. These findings suggest that physical exercise prescribers should consider the cardiovascular effects promoted by massage (MM or FR). Conclusions: A change in arterial compliance, followed by a hypotensive effect on systolic blood pressure, reinforces the role of physical activity as a non-pharmacological agent and highlights the need for inclusion in the different groups that need adjuvant help for blood pressure control.