Clinical trial NCT02919527: Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Viscoelastic Tissue Properties and Fascial Sliding
Official title: Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Viscoelastic Tissue Properties and Fascial Sliding: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Fascia
Self-Myofascial-Release
Passive Stiffness
Fascial Sliding
Flexibility
Lead sponsor: Goethe University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2016-09-29
Enrollment: 16
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 40
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: 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.


Eligibility criteria: 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

Primary outcomes:
measure: Passive-Resistive-Torque, Biodex System 3 Professional
timeFrame: 1 minute
measure: Fascial-Sliding, Siemens Acuson X300, Cross correlation
timeFrame: 1 minute
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Maximal Range of Motion, Zebris CMS20
timeFrame: 1 minute
measure: First stretch sensation, Biodex System 3 Professional
timeFrame: 1 minute
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Frankfurt am Main
country: Germany
facility: Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main
state: Hessen
Study officials:
References:
citation: 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.
citation: 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.
citation: 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.