Acute Effects of Different Soft Tissue Techniques on Hamstring Tightness

NCT07260630 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: BYDTUBITAK-2024/1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Flexibility is one of the key components of health-related physical fitness and is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, joint structure, and muscle anatomy. Hamstring tightness can contribute to multiple lower extremity injuries. While traditional methods like stretching and myofascial release are commonly used to improve flexibility, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has recently gained popularity. However, no studies in the current literature have compared the acute effects of these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness. This study aims to compare the acute effects of stretching, myofascial release, and IASTM in individuals diagnosed with hamstring tightness (defined as \<65° of hip flexion in the straight leg raise test without neurological findings).

Conditions

Hamstring Shortness

Keywords

mobilisation; IASTM; myofascial release; stretching; functional performance; strength; range of motion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Hamstring Flexibility

  Hamstring flexibility will be evaluated using the passive and active Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test. An angle \<65° indicates tightness. Change in hip flexion range will be measured at each time point.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

• Change in Knee Extension Angle

  With the hip maintained at 90° flexion in a supine position, the passive and active knee extension angle will be measured using a goniometer. This test assesses the passive extensibility of the hamstring muscles.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

• Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

• Functional Performance - Vertical Jump Test

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

• Functional Performance - Single-Leg Hop Test

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

• Subjective Perception - Global Rating of Change Scale

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks

Study Arms (4)

Stretching Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive manual static hamstring stretching for 5 minutes in repeated intervals.

Other: Stretching Group

Myofascial Release Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller applied to the hamstring muscles.

Other: Self-Myofascial Release

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The concave edge of an IASTM tool will be used to apply pressure along the posterior thigh.

Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention.

Interventions

Stretching Group OTHER

Manual static stretching applied to the hamstring muscle in five 30-second sets, with 30-second rest intervals. Total application time is 5 minutes.

Stretching Group

Self-Myofascial Release OTHER

Vibrating foam roller (38 Hz) used for self-myofascial release applied to hamstring muscles. Three sets of 30 seconds, with 30 seconds rest between sets.

Myofascial Release Group

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization OTHER

Application of IASTM using a concave-edged tool over the posterior thigh for 5 minutes to increase tissue mobility and flexibility.

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 30 years
• Presence of hamstring tightness (Straight Leg Raise angle \< 65°)
• No diagnosed chronic diseases
• Voluntary participation and signed informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of lower extremity trauma or surgery
• Symptoms radiating to one or both legs due to hamstring, spinal, or sciatic nerve injury
• Ankle instability
• Neurological findings during the straight leg raise test
• Presence of hyperalgesia, hematoma, varicose veins, or skin infection in the lower limb

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gazi University: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Gazi University

Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2025
• First Posted: December 3, 2025
• Study Start: January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 15, 2026
• Last Updated: December 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)