Immediate Effects of Graston Massage on Muscle Properties and Performance in Elite Female Handball Players

NCT06911580 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GRU-SBF-NS-03
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of Graston massage on muscle mechanical properties and sports performance in elite handball players with isolated gastrocnemius tightness.

Conditions

Isolated Gastrocnemius Tightness

Keywords

handball; graston; Isolated gastrocnemius tightness; Muscle mechanical properties; Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• IGT (isolated gastrocnemius tightness) Assessment

  The Silfverskiold test was used to identify gastrocnemius tightness, which is characterized by an equinus deformity at the ankle when the knee is extended but disappears when the knee is flexed. In this test, gastrocnemius equinus is determined when passive ankle dorsiflexion is ≤5 degrees with the knee fully extended, but increases to ≥15 degrees when the knee is flexed to 90 degrees. Participants were positioned supine on a treatment table, and goniometric measurements were taken according to the test protocol. Those who met the Silfverskiold criteria in at least one leg were classified as having IGT. (physiological parameter)

  Baseline

• Assessment of Muscle Mechanical Properties

  The Myoton PRO muscle palpation device was used for the evaluation. Myoton PRO is a portable, non-invasive device with established reliability and objectivity in assessing muscle mechanical properties. The device consists of a body and a probe. The probe applies mechanical pressure to the surface, generating a rapid deformation through a mechanical impulse. This deformation induces damped natural oscillations in the soft tissue, which are recorded by an accelerometer. During the application, the participant was positioned supine on a treatment table. To ensure the most relaxed position of the muscle, a small cushion was placed under the tibia, supporting the ankle. Following the device protocol, three impulses were applied to the reference point of the medial gastrocnemius using the probe. All measurements were performed by the same expert physiotherapist. (physiological parameter)

  Baseline

• Measuring Strength

  Strength measurement was performed on the calf muscle group. The Activforce Digital Dynamometer, which has been reported to have a high level of reliability, was used for this assessment. The device was fixed to the wall at foot level, and the participant, lying in a supine position, was instructed to apply maximum plantar flexion force against it. To prevent any backward movement that could affect the measurement, support was provided to the participant at the shoulder region during the test. (physiological parameter)

  Baseline

• Measuring Agility

  Agility values were determined using the Illinois Agility Test, measured with a photocell electronic stopwatch system with a precision of 0.01 seconds. The test was conducted twice, and the best result was recorded. (physiological parameter)

  Baseline

• Vertical Jump Test

  Vertical jump values were measured using a Smart Speed electronic jump mat with the hands-free (arm swing) countermovement jump technique. The athlete positioned themselves with their feet shoulder-width apart on the jump mat. Once ready, the athlete bent down and jumped vertically to the highest point they could reach, landing back on the mat. Three trials were performed in the correct position, with a 3-second rest between each jump, and the best result was recorded in centimeters. Jumps were repeated with the knees flexed while the athlete was airborne. (physiological parameter)

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Physical Tests and Measurements

OTHER

Assessment of Muscle Mechanical Properties:The Myoton PRO muscle palpation device was used for the evaluation. Strength Measurement: Strength measurement was performed on the calf muscle group. The Activforce Digital Dynamometer, which has been reported to have a high level of reliability, was used for this assessment. Agility Test:Agility values were determined using the Illinois Agility Test, measured with a photocell electronic stopwatch system with a precision of 0.01 seconds. The test was conducted twice, and the best result was recorded. Vertical Jump Test:Vertical jump values were measured using a Smart Speed electronic jump mat with the hands-free (arm swing) countermovement jump technique. The athlete positioned themselves with their feet shoulder-width apart on the jump mat.

Procedure: Graston Massage

Interventions

Graston Massage PROCEDURE

The participant was positioned prone on the treatment table with the knee slightly flexed. A small amount of lubricating gel was applied to the entire gastrosoleus complex and the calcaneal tendon. For one minute, sweeping strokes were performed downwards on the gastrocnemius heads using the GT-5 tool. From the second to the fourth minute, the GT-5 was used in an upward direction to ensure that both the gastrocnemius and soleus were treated. Afterward, with the GT-2 tool, one minute of downward sweeping and one minute of upward sweeping were performed on the calcaneal tendon. Following the two minutes of sweeping, GT-3 was used to apply short, perpendicular strokes to the medial and lateral sides of the calcaneal tendon, with 30 seconds for each side. The total application lasted approximately 7 minutes (Palmer et al., 2017).

Physical Tests and Measurements

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 27 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants must have IGT in at least one leg.
• Age range must be between 19-27 years.
• Must have been a licensed handball player for at least the past five years.
• Must not have undergone any surgical operation in the past year.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants who are in their menstrual period will be excluded from the study.
• Those who have used pharmacological products classified as muscle relaxants or derivatives within the last 24 hours will be excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Giresun University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Giresun University

Giresun, Centre, 28200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: The study was designed as a quasi-experimental research.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2025
• First Posted: April 4, 2025
• Study Start: November 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2025
• Study Completion: February 20, 2025
• Last Updated: April 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)