The Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Sedentary Individuals With Hamstring Tightness

NCT07091383 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: -020-5432
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study will be to investigate and compare the effects of static stretching exercise, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), and functional IASTM techniques on hamstring muscle shortness, pain threshold, skinfold thickness, and functional muscle strength in sedentary individuals. Fifty-one sedentary individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 who meet the inclusion criteria of Cyprus International University will be included in the study. The first group will receive static stretching exercises two days a week for four weeks; the second group will receive the IASTM technique two days a week for four weeks; and the third group will receive the functional IASTM technique, which will be applied with passive movements two days a week for four weeks. Hamstring shortness, pain threshold, skinfold thickness, and functional muscle strength will be evaluated before the treatment (BT), immediately after the treatment (AT1), two weeks after the treatment (AT2), and four weeks after the treatment (AT4).

Conditions

Hamstring Muscle Tightness; Muscle Strength; Pain Threshold

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Hamstring Muscle Tightness

  Hamstring tightness will be assessed using the PostureScreen Mobile application, a validated tool for photographic posture and joint angle analysis. Participants will lie supine on a treatment table with the non-test leg stabilized using a strap. The test leg will be positioned with both the hip and knee at 90° flexion, adjusted with a stool and pillow as needed. The anatomical landmarks-the greater trochanter, lateral femoral condyle, and lateral malleolus-will be marked on the test leg. While the participant wears minimal clothing, a lateral photograph will be taken from 1.5 metres using a tripod-mounted smartphone. Participants will be instructed to extend their knee as much as possible with their ankle dorsiflexed. The application will calculate the knee extension angle from the marked points, and the range of motion will be recorded in degrees. The test will be repeated if compensatory movements are observed.

  4 weeks

• Hamstring Skinfold Thickness

  The site will be marked at the midpoint of the posterior thigh, halfway between the ischial tuberosity and the popliteal region. The skinfold will be grasped 1 cm from the marked point using the thumb and index finger, maintaining consistent pressure throughout the measurement. Skinfold thickness will be measured with a skinfold calliper (Holtain Ltd, Crymych, UK). The reading will be taken 3-4 seconds after applying the calliper and then recorded. At least two measurements will be taken with a one-minute interval between them. Results will be recorded in millimetres (mm).

  4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Threshold

  4 weeks

• Functional Muscle Strength

  4 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Static Stretching Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will lie supine on a treatment table, with the non-test leg stabilized using a strap. Using a belt looped around the foot, the participant's ankle will be held in dorsiflexion, and passive hip flexion will be performed without knee flexion, stretching the hamstring to its maximal tension. The stretch will be held for 15 seconds and then relaxed. This cycle will be repeated 10 times per session.

Other: Exercise

IASTM Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will lie prone on the treatment table with their feet hanging off the edge. While the therapist holds the Graston tool in the right hand, passive knee flexion and extension movements will be performed with the left hand. After non-allergenic jelly is applied, the GT5 will be used to perform the sweep technique at a 30° angle along the hamstring for 10 repetitions, with one knee flexion during each sweep. The fan technique will then be applied in a similar manner, with knee flexion at each proximal movement. Subsequently, the GT4 will be used at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions of each sweep and fan technique, incorporating knee flexion with each proximal pass. Finally, the GT3 will be used to perform the brush technique at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions with knee flexion.

Other: Exercise

Functional IASTM Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will lie prone on the treatment table with their feet hanging off the edge. While the therapist holds the Graston tool in the right hand, passive knee flexion and extension movements will be performed with the left hand. After non-allergenic jelly is applied, the GT5 will be used to perform the sweep technique at a 30° angle along the hamstring for 10 repetitions, with one knee flexion during each sweep. The fan technique will then be applied in a similar manner, with knee flexion at each proximal movement. Subsequently, the GT4 will be used at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions of each sweep and fan technique, incorporating knee flexion with each proximal pass. Finally, the GT3 will be used to perform the brush technique at a 60° angle for 10 repetitions with knee flexion.

Other: Exercise

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

Static stretching

Also known as: Stretching

Static Stretching Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Sedentary individuals aged 18 to 45
• Who worked at a desk for extended periods
• Who exhibited hamstring muscle tightness of more than 10 degrees

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed orthopaedic or neurological disorder
• a history of lower limb surgery
• The presence of scoliosis
• Tightness in the gastrocnemius muscle
• Participants who did not consistently attend the intervention programme (i.e., those who missed two or more sessions out of the 12 sessions)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cyprus International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cyprus International University

Mersin, Lefkosa, 99040, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Gallon D, Rodacki AL, Hernandez SG, Drabovski B, Outi T, Bittencourt LR, Gomes AR. The effects of stretching on the flexibility, muscle performance and functionality of institutionalized older women. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2011 Mar;44(3):229-35. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2011007500012. Epub 2011 Jan 26.

  PMID: 21399855 BACKGROUND

• Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. Therapeutic effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for soft tissue injury: mechanisms and practical application. J Exerc Rehabil. 2017 Feb 28;13(1):12-22. doi: 10.12965/jer.1732824.412. eCollection 2017 Feb.

  PMID: 28349028 BACKGROUND

• Markovic G. Acute effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization vs. foam rolling on knee and hip range of motion in soccer players. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2015 Oct;19(4):690-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.04.010. Epub 2015 May 5.

  PMID: 26592226 BACKGROUND

• Lee JH, Lee DK, Oh JS. The effect of Graston technique on the pain and range of motion in patients with chronic low back pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Jun;28(6):1852-5. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.1852. Epub 2016 Jun 28.

  PMID: 27390432 BACKGROUND

• Stutchfield BM, Coleman S. The relationships between hamstring flexibility, lumbar flexion, and low back pain in rowers. European Journal of Sport Science. 2006;6(4):255-260.

  BACKGROUND

• Fatima G, Qamar MM, Hassan JU, Basharat A. Extended sitting can cause hamstring tightness. Saudi Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;17(2):110-114.

  BACKGROUND

• Afonso J, Rocha-Rodrigues S, Clemente FM, Aquino M, Nikolaidis PT, Sarmento H, Filter A, Olivares-Jabalera J, Ramirez-Campillo R. The Hamstrings: Anatomic and Physiologic Variations and Their Potential Relationships With Injury Risk. Front Physiol. 2021 Jul 7;12:694604. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.694604. eCollection 2021.

  PMID: 34305648 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The same physiotherapist will be administered all IASTM, functional IASTM, and static stretching interventions, while assessments will be conducted by another physiotherapist who will be blinded to the treatment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof.

Model Details: It is a randomized controlled study.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 22, 2025
• First Posted: July 29, 2025
• Study Start: April 11, 2022
• Primary Completion: July 2, 2022
• Study Completion: August 3, 2022
• Last Updated: July 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

TU (1)