Post Exercise Recovery and FST (FST)

August 21, 2024 updated by: Tanya Forneris, University of British Columbia

Analyzing the Perceived Impact of Fascial Stretch Therapy on the Post-exercise Recovery Process.

In this pilot study the focus is to assess the perceived impact of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) on post-exercise recovery in University athletes. The objective is to determine if FST can expedite recovery and enhance overall well-being by reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. The FST protocol will be implement by a certified FST level 2 practitioner. Upon completion of the FST intervention athletes will complete a self-assessment questionnaire. The study aims to provide empirical support for FST's efficacy in improving post-exercise recovery and contributing to the health and performance of university athletes.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the perceived effects of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) on post-exercise recovery among university athletes at UBCO. By focusing solely on this aspect, the study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how FST influences recovery processes in the context of rigorous athletic training.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that integrating FST into the post-exercise routine of university athletes will result in expedited recovery, manifested through reduced muscle soreness and fatigue. We expect that the tailored FST sessions will contribute positively to the athletes' overall well-being, allowing them to maintain peak performance levels.

Justification: The justification for this study lies in addressing a gap in current research by honing in on the specific impact of FST on post-exercise recovery. As athletes constantly seek methods to optimize their performance, understanding the potential benefits of FST in this context becomes crucial for informed and evidence-based interventions.

Objectives: The primary objective is to assess the efficacy of FST in enhancing post-exercise recovery among university athletes. Specifically, the study aims to analyze the reduction in muscle soreness and fatigue, providing empirical support for the inclusion of FST in athletic recovery programs.

Research Design: This pilot study adopts a mixed methods one group post-test only design to a allow the understanding of perceived FST in enhancing post-exercise recovery. Participants will complete questionnaires and short semi-structured interviews.

Statistical Analysis: This study will employ descriptive statistical analysis for the questionnaire data and thematic analysis for the interview data.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

5

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Must be an UBCO student athlete who is at least 19 years of age and currently engaged in normal athletic training

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Student athletes under 19 years of age or currently have an existing musculoskeletal injury or medical condition preventing you from engaging in normal athletic training.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Fascial Stretch Therapy Intervention
Participants receive 3 x 30 Minutes of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST). FST is designed to enhance flexibility and functional range of motion. During these sessions, participant will be lying down comfortably while a trained therapist gently stretches their body. The therapist will use a mix of pulling, gentle movements, and controlled stretches to loosen up the connective tissue around your muscles and joints.
Fascial Stretch Protocol uses a combination of circumduction, traction, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and specific FST maneuvers. Stretch is applied in both active & passive methods taking into consideration: (1) Oscillatory - slow passive joint oscillations (back and forth movement in a regular rhythm). Small controlled oscillations help with proprioceptors around the joints, acilitates blood flow, gently stretches the ligaments, tendons, nerves, & muscles and slows the nervous system down; (2) Traction - allows for assessment of the joint capsule movement and to decompress the joint. (3) Movement - designed to enhance the reflexes and are intentionally gentle to maximize benefits; (4) PNF - helps improve flexibility by alternating muscle contractions and relaxations. This stimulates the neuromuscular system, allowing muscles to relax deeper and increase range of motion. (5) Breath - allows the body to increase oxygen consumption to facilitate recovery.
Other Names:
  • FST
  • Myofascial Stretch Therapy
  • Assisted Stretch Therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Perceptions of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) on Post-Exercise and Post-Training Recovery Among UBCO Varsity Athletes
Time Frame: Interviews will be conducted within one week after the completion of the 4th FST session.
This study aims to assess the perceptions of UBCO varsity athletes regarding the impact of Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) on their post-exercise and post-training recovery. Participants will undergo a 30-minute FST intervention for four sessions over four weeks. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants post-intervention to gain an understanding of their experiences with FST as part of their athletic training and conditioning.
Interviews will be conducted within one week after the completion of the 4th FST session.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Improvement in overall range of motion and functioning
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Assessed using the SF-36, a widely used tool for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL). All items are scored so that a high score defines a more favorable health state. In addition, each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores are 0 and 100, respectively. Scores represent the percentage of total possible score achieved.
through study completion, an average of 1 month
Improvement in overall range of motion - back
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Assessed using the Revised Oswestry Disability Index (RODI) which evaluates perceived functional limitations related to lower back pain. Each of the 10 sections is scored separately (0 to 5 points each) and then added up (max total = 50). Higher scores are indicative of greater disability.
through study completion, an average of 1 month
Improvement in overall range of motion - neck
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Assessed using The Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire which assesses perceived functional limitations related to neck pain. Each section is scored on a 0 to 5 rating scale, in which zero means 'No pain' and 5 means 'Worst imaginable pain'.
through study completion, an average of 1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 30, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 10, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 21, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

July 26, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 23, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 21, 2024

Last Verified

August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • H24-00681

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

There is not a plan to make IPD available.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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