Acute Effects of Gastrocnemius Myofascial Release on Cervical Flexion and Extension Range of Motion in Healthy Adults

NCT07025746 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ESS/LFST-706/25-2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to verify the immediate effects of gastrocnemius myofascial release on the active cervical flexion and extension range of motion.

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change of active cervical range of motion in flexion and extension.

  Data will be collected at two time points: baseline assessment (M0) and after the intervention/control (M1). Participants will be instructed to sit with their spine straight and supported against the backrest of the chair, with ankles, knees, and hips positioned at 90 degrees. Arms will remain crossed over the chest to prevent compensatory thoracic movements. Before the test begins, each participant will be asked to actively perform the flexion and extension movements to the limit of their range of motion, aiming to reduce stiffness and promote familiarization with the assessment protocol. Measurements will be taken three times for each movement (active flexion and extension), with 30-second rest intervals between each measurement. The average of the three values will be calculated and recorded as the final value.

  Change from Baseline (M0) to Immediately after intervention or control (M1)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

A myofascial release technique will be performed using a foam roller (Blackroll Standard, 30 x 15 cm) on the dominant lower limb. For the Intervention Group (IG), the technique will be applied to the gastrocnemius muscles. In this group, participants will adopt a semi-seated position on a mat, supported by their arms while keeping the body well aligned. The movement will be performed in the direction of the muscle fibers (cephalocaudal), ensuring the accuracy of the technique. The foam roller will be in contact with the targeted muscle, and the participant will apply pressure until experiencing slight discomfort. In this way, a self-massage will be performed following the direction of the muscle fibers.

Device: Dynamic foam rolling

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

The participants will remain at rest in a chair for 4 minutes.

Interventions

Dynamic foam rolling DEVICE

The foam roller will be in contact with the muscle being tested and the patient will exert a load until they feel a slight pain. In this way, the patient performs a self-massage in the direction of the muscle fibers.

Intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy participants of both sexes aged 18-40 years.

You may not qualify if:

• Deformities in the lower quadrant region of the body;
• Complaints in this region in the last 6 months;
• Surgical procedures or musculoskeletal, cardiac, renal, metabolic, neurological and or oncological pathologies;
• Limb length discrepancy greater than 1.5 cm;
• Pregnant women;
• Ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or consumption of any type of narcotic drugs and participants who have drunk alcohol in the last 12 hours.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Fernando Pessoa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa

Porto, 4249-004, Portugal

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Phd

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2025
• First Posted: June 17, 2025
• Study Start: June 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 4, 2025
• Study Completion: July 30, 2025
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

PT (1)