Effects of Foam Rolling Prior to PNF Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility and Thigh Skin Temperature in Healthy Subjects

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
There is no study investigating the hamstring flexibility and skin temperature after combined warm-up techniques especially PNF and foam rolling. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of foam roller application prior to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on hamstring flexibility and thigh skin temperature in healthy subjects.Secondly, it is aimed to compare the effects between non-vibration foam rolling and vibration foam rolling on measured parameters.

Detailed Description
-----------------
In this study forty-eight subjects will be voluntarily recruited into the study according to inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to Vibration Foam Rolling + PNF stretching, Non-Vibration Foam Rolling + PNF stretching, only PNF stretching and control group. Subjects will be evaluated before, immediately after and 30 minutes after intervention. Hamstring flexibility will be evaluated with Active Knee Extension Angle (AKEA) Test and functionally Sit and Reach test. Thigh skin temperature will be evaluated with thermographic imaging.

Official Title
-----------------
Effects of Foam Roller Application Prior to Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility and Thigh Skin Temperature in Healthy Subjects

Conditions
-----------------
Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: PNF stretching
* Other: Non-vibration foam rolling prior to PNF stretching
* Other: Vibration foam rolling prior to PNF stretching


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: 18 years and older, Having limitation of 20 degrees or more in knee extension angle in AKEA test, Right side lower extremity dominance Exclusion Criteria: History of lower extremity injury in the last 12 months Having neurological or psychological problem Doing a stretching based exercise recently History of pain in the lower body and extremity in the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Having lower extremity deformity

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: PNF stretching group<br> | Other: PNF stretching<br>* A contract-relax PNF stretching technique will be applied to hamstring muscle.<br>|
| Experimental: Non-vibration foam rolling prior to PNF stretching group<br> | Other: Non-vibration foam rolling prior to PNF stretching<br>* Prior to PNF stretching, participant will perform unilateral hamstring non-vibration foam rolling.<br>|
| Experimental: Vibration foam rolling prior to PNF stretching group<br> | Other: Vibration foam rolling prior to PNF stretching<br>* Prior to PNF stretching, participant will perform unilateral hamstring vibration foam rolling (48 Hz).<br>|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in hamstring flexibility | Active Knee Extension test in supine position will be performed to measure hamstring flexibility. | Change from baseline hamstring flexibility at immediately after intervention and 30 minutes after intervention | 
| Change in thigh skin temperature | Posterior thigh skin temperature will be evaluated using thermographic imaging with infrared thermal camera. | Change from baseline skin temperature at immediately after intervention and 30 minutes after intervention | 
| Change in functional hamstring flexibility | Sit-and-Reach test will be performed to measure functional hamstring flexibility. | Change from baseline functional hamstring flexibility at immediately after intervention and 30 minutes after intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
hamstring muscles, PNF stretching, foam rolling, thermal imaging, flexibility, range of motion, vibration