The Acute Effect Of Instrumental-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique on Physical Fitness Parameters
Condition: Physical Fitness
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue
      Mobilization (IASTM) on the acute effects of physical fitness parameters in healthy male
      individuals. 24 volunteers are included in this study who have been divided into two groups
      such that one part is an IASTM and the other part is a control group. The physical activity
      levels of the individuals participating in the study were determined using the short form of
      the International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (IPAQ). Individuals; their
      aerobic capacity is the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT), muscle strength values are
      digital dynamometer, muscle flexibility values are sit-reach and quadriceps flexibility test,
      fatigue values are Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Modified Borg Scale, agility assessment
      is T-Test, and balance assessment is evaluated with a stabilometer device.
    

Detailed description: 
      METHOD

      Participants

      This study was planned as a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 24
      individuals, 12 in the IASTM group and 12 in the control group were included in the study. We
      calculated (G*Power Version 3.1.9.4, Franz Faul, Universitat Kiel, Düsseldorf, Germany) a
      power of 95% with 0.05 significance, a difference to be detected of 6.88 cm, and a standard
      deviation of 5.22 cm in hamstring flexibility, generating a sample of 12 individuals per
      group (Figure 1).

      Volunteer individuals aged between 18 and 25 years, who could cooperate with the tests and
      who did not have any diagnosed orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary, vestibular, and neurological
      diseases were included in the study. Those who had an allergic reaction during the IASTM
      application and those who had an acute infection in the last 15 days were excluded. The data
      were collected from March 2022 to July 2022.

      Randomization This study, which was conducted to examine the acute effect of IASTM on
      physical fitness parameters, was planned as a randomized controlled parallel trial. The
      sealed envelope method was used for randomization. The procedure was designed by a researcher
      who was not involved in other aspects of the protocol. All participants were recruited into
      groups using pre-numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes.

      Materials

      First, sociodemographic information of all individuals included in the study was obtained,
      and all questionnaires were conducted.

      Hamstring flexibility measurements of the individuals were performed with a sit-and-reach
      test using a flexibility bench. Quadriceps flexibility was assessed by placing both hips in a
      neutral position while the subject lay in the prone position.

      The Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) was performed to assess the exercise capacity of
      individuals. The test is set to 10 m between two lines for testing. The individual walks a
      distance of 10 m around the trip and runs as necessary. At the end of the test, the distance
      traveled by the individual is recorded. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation (Cosmed
      Spiropalm 6MWT, Milan, Italy), respiratory rate, dyspnea, and fatigue level using the
      modified Borg Scale were evaluated before and after the ISWT.

      Muscle strength was determined by measuring quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength using a
      digital dynamometer (Jtech Commander Muscle Tester, UT, USA). The mean values of the right
      and left side measurements were obtained. Then, the average of the measurements of the right
      and left sides were recorded in Newton (N) using each side.

      Agility measurements of the cases were made with T-Test. To apply the T-Test, 4 cones were
      arranged according to the test and the test was performed. Participants had three repetitions
      and the best time was recorded.

      A stabilometer device (HUR Smartbalance 2031, Kokkola, Finland) used in the study is a
      balance mechanism that can move forward-backward, right-left, and 3D in the transverse plane.
      The device's reliability has been demonstrated in different studies.

      Fatigue levels of individuals were evaluated using the FSS. Our study used the Turkish
      version of the FSS.

      The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess
      participants' physical activity levels. Severe, moderate-severe, and walking include seven
      questions that question the time elapsed while doing these, and sitting time is considered a
      separate question.

      Intervention

      In this study, the primary outcome measurements were the quadriceps and hamstring
      flexibility, and the secondary outcome measurements were exercise capacity, muscle strength,
      agility, balance, and fatigue. The individuals included in the study were divided into two
      groups: IASTM and control groups. All measurements were performed on individuals in two
      groups. Then, in the IASTM group, IASTM was applied to the quadriceps and hamstring muscles
      of both extremities for five minutes each, for a total of 20 minutes. Immediately afterward,
      the measurements taken before the intervention were repeated. The control group waited for 30
      minutes after the initial measurements and all measurements were repeated.

      Statistical analyses

      Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics 25.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, USA).
      Descriptive statistics were calculated. The normality of the data was checked using the
      Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. As appropriate, two independent groups of numerical variables were
      analyzed using Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test. The chi-square test was used for
      categorical comparisons. Baseline values were compared using Student's t-test. A two-way
      analysis of variance was used to evaluate time and group-time interaction. Repeated measures
      of variance were analyzed in the data in each session. Within-group changes over time were
      compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The descriptive level of significance was set
      at p<0.05.
    

Intervention name(s): INSTRUMENTAL-ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUE; NO INTERVENTION
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): After all evaluations were made, IASTM was applied to the individuals in the intervention group for five minutes each, for a total of 20 minutes, on the quadriceps and hamstring muscles of both extremities, respectively.; The control group waited for 30 minutes after the initial measurements and all measurements were repeated.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Aerobic Agility; Balance; Capacity; Fatigue; Flexibility; Mobilization