Differences in Elbow Stiffness Comparing Massage to Stretching in Tennis Players

NCT07060521 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 20597767
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background and Purpose: Shear wave elastography (SWE) provides quantifiable and specific data regarding muscle and tendon stiffness. Increased muscle and tendon stiffness plays a role in the development of musculoskeletal pathologies. A number of interventions have been proposed to temporarily reduce muscle/tendon stiffness including soft tissue mobilization (massage) and stretching. Purpose: To investigate the effects of soft tissue mobilization versus stretching on tissue stiffness in a group of competitive tennis players. Participants: Healthy competitive tennis players who meet the inclusion criteria and consent to participate will be assessed and treated at the University of Dayton Department of Physical Therapy. Methods: All participants will be examined with shear wave elastography to determine the stiffness of the dominant common extensor tendon with the participant in sitting, arm supported and relaxed. A second stiffness measure will be taken 5 minutes after the first measure to determine intra-rater reliability. Participants will be divided into 1 of 2 treatment groups (soft tissue massage or passive stretching) for approximately 5 minutes. Shear wave stiffness measures will be taken immediately after intervention for both groups. Shear wave elastography will be measured one final time following a 15-minute rest period after the intervention

Conditions

Tendon Stiffness; Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Tendon Stiffness: 2D shear wave elastography (SWE ultrasound imaging GE Logiq S8, 9L linear transducer)

  Data collection for tendon stiffness will require the use of the following instrument: 2D shear wave elastography (SWE) ultrasound imaging (GE Logiq S8, 9L linear transducer). SWE is a new ultrasound imaging setting that simply determines the hardness or stiffness of a muscle. Ultrasound waves are transmitted through a linear probe to the gel medium and on to the contact surface of the body. SWE is an a measure of the speed at which the ultrasound waves pass through the body. The more dense the material (stiffer), the faster the wave will propagate. The side of the probe indicator along the transducer will be placed directly over the lateral epicondyle while the distal end of the transducer was in line with the middle of the radiocarpal joint. Three images will be taken and stiffness values will be recorded for each image. The shear wave modulus will then be automatically generated in kilopascals (kPa)

  From enrollment until the end of a single session which is approximately 45 minutes per participant

Study Arms (2)

Self stretching

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Self Stretching

Soft Tissue Mobilization

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: soft tissue mobilization

Interventions

soft tissue mobilization OTHER

massage

Also known as: self stretching

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Self Stretching OTHER

self stretching

Self stretching

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• An adult18 - 80 years old.
• Demonstrate sufficient fluency in spoken or written English to communicate with the research examiner and complete questionnaires.
• Tennis player at any level playing at least 1 time a week on average

You may not qualify if:

• Prior upper extremity surgery within 6 months of the study's start date
• Any diagnosed upper extremity pathologies or injuries within 6 months of the study's start date.
• Rehabilitative/medical treatment of the upper extremity in the past year
• Unable to tolerate soft tissue massage or stretching treatments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Dayton: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio, 45469, United States

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2025
• First Posted: July 11, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 25, 2025
• Study Completion: May 25, 2025
• Last Updated: July 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

US (1)