Acute Effects of Different Soft Tissue Techniques on Hamstring Tightness
Comparison of the Acute Effects of Stretching, Myofascial Release, and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Individuals With Hamstring Tightness: Randomized Double-Blind Study
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
Hamstring tightness is a common musculoskeletal problem that can contribute to lower extremity injuries and functional limitations. Flexibility, one of the fundamental components of physical fitness, can be influenced by multiple factors including age, sex, joint structure, and muscle properties. Among various therapeutic approaches, static stretching and myofascial release are conventionally used to improve hamstring flexibility. More recently, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has gained popularity for its potential to increase range of motion and reduce muscle tension more rapidly than traditional methods.
The study aims to identify which intervention is most effective in increasing hamstring flexibility acutely and will provide evidence to guide clinical decision-making in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention. Additionally, this research intends to fill a gap in the literature, as no prior study has directly compared these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness.
This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to compare the acute and short-term effects of three different manual therapy interventions such as static stretching, self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller, and IASTM on individuals with clinically diagnosed hamstring tightness. A fourth group will serve as the control group and will receive no intervention.
A total of 36 healthy participants, aged 18 to 30 years, with hamstring tightness confirmed via the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test (hip flexion <65° without neurological findings), will be randomly assigned into one of four groups. Each group will consist of 9 participants. Interventions will be applied for approximately 5 minutes. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention, 12 hours post-intervention, and 24 hours post-intervention.
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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Ankara
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Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
- Gazi University
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-
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
- Adult
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 18 and 30 years
- Presence of hamstring tightness (Straight Leg Raise angle < 65°)
- No diagnosed chronic diseases
- Voluntary participation and signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of lower extremity trauma or surgery
- Symptoms radiating to one or both legs due to hamstring, spinal, or sciatic nerve injury
- Ankle instability
- Neurological findings during the straight leg raise test
- Presence of hyperalgesia, hematoma, varicose veins, or skin infection in the lower limb
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: Double
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Active Comparator: Stretching Group
Participants receive manual static hamstring stretching for 5 minutes in repeated intervals.
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Manual static stretching applied to the hamstring muscle in five 30-second sets, with 30-second rest intervals.
Total application time is 5 minutes.
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Active Comparator: Myofascial Release Group
Participants will perform self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller applied to the hamstring muscles.
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Vibrating foam roller (38 Hz) used for self-myofascial release applied to hamstring muscles.
Three sets of 30 seconds, with 30 seconds rest between sets.
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Active Comparator: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group
The concave edge of an IASTM tool will be used to apply pressure along the posterior thigh.
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Application of IASTM using a concave-edged tool over the posterior thigh for 5 minutes to increase tissue mobility and flexibility.
|
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No Intervention: Control Group
Participants in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention.
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What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Hamstring Flexibility
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Hamstring flexibility will be evaluated using the passive and active Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test.
An angle <65° indicates tightness.
Change in hip flexion range will be measured at each time point.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Change in Knee Extension Angle
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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With the hip maintained at 90° flexion in a supine position, the passive and active knee extension angle will be measured using a goniometer.
This test assesses the passive extensibility of the hamstring muscles.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
|
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
|
Maximal isometric hamstring muscle strength will be measured using a handheld dynamometer.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
|
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Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
|
Maximal isometric quadriceps strength will be assessed to evaluate potential reciprocal inhibition effects.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
|
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Functional Performance - Vertical Jump Test
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Vertical jump performance will be measured to assess functional changes in lower extremity power.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
|
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Functional Performance - Single-Leg Hop Test
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Single-leg horizontal hop distance will be recorded to evaluate functional lower limb performance.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Subjective Perception - Global Rating of Change Scale
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Participants will rate their perception of change in hamstring flexibility using a 15-point Global Rating of Change Scale.
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From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Actual)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Estimated)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Estimated)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Other Study ID Numbers
- BYDTUBITAK-2024/1
Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)
Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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