Acute Effects of Different Soft Tissue Techniques on Hamstring Tightness

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

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

36 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-01-15

Study Completion Date

2026-03-15

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Flexibility is one of the key components of health-related physical fitness and is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, joint structure, and muscle anatomy. Hamstring tightness can contribute to multiple lower extremity injuries. While traditional methods like stretching and myofascial release are commonly used to improve flexibility, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has recently gained popularity. However, no studies in the current literature have compared the acute effects of these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness. This study aims to compare the acute effects of stretching, myofascial release, and IASTM in individuals diagnosed with hamstring tightness (defined as \<65° of hip flexion in the straight leg raise test without neurological findings).

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

The Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Sedentary Individuals With Hamstring Tightness

NCT07091383

Hamstring Muscle Tightness Muscle Strength Pain Threshold

COMPLETED NA

Effects of Dry Needling, Static Stretching and IASTM in People With Hamstring Muscle Shortness

NCT04118231

Hamstring Muscle Shortness and Elastographic Examination

COMPLETED NA

Effect of Percussion Massage on Hamstring Flexibility

NCT05607914

Massage Hamstring Flexibility Manual Therapies

COMPLETED NA

Which Technique is More Effective for People With Hamstring Tightness in Terms of Balance, Flexibility, and Performance?

NCT05412199

Sports Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal Diseases or Conditions

COMPLETED NA

Acute Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Hamstring Flexibility Via Fascial Chain

NCT05750550

Healthy

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

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.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Hamstring Shortness

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Myofascial Release Group

Participants will perform self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller applied to the hamstring muscles.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Self-Myofascial Release

Intervention Type OTHER

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.

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group

The concave edge of an IASTM tool will be used to apply pressure along the posterior thigh.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Intervention Type OTHER

Application of IASTM using a concave-edged tool over the posterior thigh for 5 minutes to increase tissue mobility and flexibility.

Control Group

Participants in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Stretching Group

Participants receive manual static hamstring stretching for 5 minutes in repeated intervals.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Stretching Group

Intervention Type OTHER

Manual static stretching applied to the hamstring muscle in five 30-second sets, with 30-second rest intervals. Total application time is 5 minutes.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Stretching Group

Manual static stretching applied to the hamstring muscle in five 30-second sets, with 30-second rest intervals. Total application time is 5 minutes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Self-Myofascial Release

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.

Intervention Type OTHER

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Application of IASTM using a concave-edged tool over the posterior thigh for 5 minutes to increase tissue mobility and flexibility.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

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

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

30 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes