Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Viscoelastic Tissue Properties and Fascial Sliding

NCT ID: NCT02919527

Last Updated: 2017-11-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

16 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-09-30

Study Completion Date

2017-06-30

Brief Summary

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Treatment or training of fascial tissues has moved into the focus of medical research in the last decade. In this context, the use of foam rollers or roller massagers for self-myofascial-release (SMR) techniques has become increasingly popular in health and fitness professionals. The primary objective of these techniques is to mimic manual massage or myofascial-release therapy with a self-usable tool. Recent studies suggest that SMR improves, inter alia, range of motion (ROM) without a decrease in neuromuscular performance (Cheatham et al. 2015).

Concurrent effects on the muscle and especially the surrounding connective tissue network have been proposed as underlying mechanisms for these observed changes in ROM after SMR. Several authors assume a positive effect of SMR on sliding properties of different independent fascial layers. Also, changes in passive tissue stiffness is suggested. Passive stiffness is thereby characterized by passive resistance in the tissues' (muscles') functional direction, the passive resistive torque (PRT).

In conclusion, for many of the proclaimed effects of SMR, such as improvements of sliding of fascial layers or decreases of passive stiffness, there is a lack of evidence in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate acute effects of SMR on the viscoelastic properties of the muscles on the anterior thigh and the corresponding fascia.

In a cross over design, 16 subjects receive all of the following interventions after a familiarization session: a) 2x60 seconds of SMR at the anterior thigh, b) 2x60 seconds of static stretching at the anterior thigh, c) no intervention in a balanced permutated randomization sequence. Before and directly after each intervention, outcome parameters are collected.

Passive Resistive Torque is evaluated using a computerized isokinetic dynamometer. In passive mode, the lower leg is moved from full knee extension (0°) to the point of maximal knee flexion with a velocity of 5°/s. Torque and angle are recorded at 100 Hertz (Hz). Sliding of fascial layers is quantified with a frame-by-frame cross correlation algorithm of high-resolution ultrasound images (Dilley et al. 2001).

First stretch sensation is quantified using the passive mode in the isokinetic dynamometer.

Maximal ROM is detected using a an ultrasonographic movement analysis system in a prone position.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Fascia Self-Myofascial-Release Passive Stiffness Fascial Sliding Flexibility

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Self-Myofascial-Release

Two 60 seconds bouts of Self-Myofascial-Release performed at the anterior thigh; anticipated intensity of 7/10 on a 10 point numeric rating scale (0 representing no discomfort and 10 representing maximal discomfort)

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Self-Myofascial-Release

Intervention Type OTHER

Self-Myofascial-Release performed at the anterior thigh

Stretching

Two 60 seconds bouts of static stretching performed at the anterior thigh; anticipated intensity of 7/10 on a 10 point numeric rating scale (0 representing no discomfort and 10 representing maximal discomfort)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Stretching

Intervention Type OTHER

Static Stretching performed at the anterior thigh

Control

No Intervention

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Self-Myofascial-Release

Self-Myofascial-Release performed at the anterior thigh

Intervention Type OTHER

Stretching

Static Stretching performed at the anterior thigh

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age between 20-40 years

Exclusion Criteria

* History of orthopedic injuries in the lower extremity in the last 12 months
* Any history of psychiatric, cardiovascular, endocrine, neurological, or metabolic disorders
* Any current medication that might affect pain perception or proprioception
* Muscle soreness
* Pregnancy/nursing period
* Nonspecific musculoskeletal disorders
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Goethe University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Prof. Dr. Dr. Winfried Banzer

Head of Department

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany

Site Status

Countries

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Germany

References

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Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Cain M, Lee M. THE EFFECTS OF SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE USING A FOAM ROLL OR ROLLER MASSAGER ON JOINT RANGE OF MOTION, MUSCLE RECOVERY, AND PERFORMANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Nov;10(6):827-38.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26618062 (View on PubMed)

Dilley A, Greening J, Lynn B, Leary R, Morris V. The use of cross-correlation analysis between high-frequency ultrasound images to measure longitudinal median nerve movement. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2001 Sep;27(9):1211-8. doi: 10.1016/s0301-5629(01)00413-6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11597362 (View on PubMed)

Krause F, Wilke J, Niederer D, Vogt L, Banzer W. Acute effects of foam rolling on passive tissue stiffness and fascial sliding: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2017 Mar 9;18(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-1866-y.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 28274273 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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SpM2016-005

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id