Rolling on a foam roller helps to improve blood circulation throughout your skin, fascia, muscles and even tendons and ligaments. They also help lengthen and stretch the muscles and tendons as well as break down the soft connective tissue beneath the skin resulting in myofascial release. For many users there is no need for a full length foam roller as a half-length roller is long enough for many uses particularly for muscle and ITB release on the legs that has become so popular with runners and other athletes.