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

Objectives: This review explores the current evidence on how different massage modalities, either manual (MM) or using foam rolling (FR), with or without strength training, influence cardiovascular and autonomic function in healthy individuals. Methods: A search was performed in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed®, and SciELO databases on 14 April 2025. Results: Among the 5125 studies retrieved in the database search, 7 were selected for the present review. The included studies pointed to an improvement in hemodynamic and autonomic responses, characterized by reduced 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 hemodynamic and autonomic 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.