Acute Effects of Neurodynamic Stretching on Muscle-tendon Complex

NCT07304765 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CEP2204
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 21
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Neurodynamic mobilization techniques are widely applied in rehabilitation and physiotherapy to enhance the mobility and function of peripheral nerves. Two main approaches are distinguished. Nerve tensioning and nerve flossing. They both involve proximal and distal joint movements to induce greater neural sliding while avoiding excessive tensile stress. However, contradictory findings on neurodynamic techniques highlighted the current lack of consensus regarding these techniques. Moreover, neurodynamic techniques are of interest for patients, it appeared it could also be applied in healthy individuals and more particularly in athletes. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present study was to determine the immediate effect of two neurodynamic mobilization techniques (flossing vs. tensioning) on the sciatic nerve and hamstring tissues using the shear wave elastography (SWE, a form of ultrasonography).

Conditions

Stretching; Control Condition

Keywords

stretching; stiffness; nerve; muscle; flexibility

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Nerve shear wave velocity using elastography

  Shear wave velocity of the sciatic nerve will be evaluated by using an ultrasound (echography) device with a specific mode called "shear wave elastography". Briefly, the ultrasound probe will deliver an ultrasound wave. The propagation speed (called '"shear wave velocity") will be measured by the same probe. The greater the velocity is, the harder the tissue is.

  Before the intervention and at the end (immediately after) the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Muscle shear wave velocity using elastography

  Before the intervention and at the end (immediately after) the intervention

• Hamstring force

  Before the intervention and at the end (immediately after) the intervention

• Biceps femoris activity

  Before the intervention and at the end (immediately after) the intervention

• Semitendinosus activity

  Before the intervention and at the end (immediately after) the intervention

• passive knee extension

  Before the intervention and at the end (immediately after) the intervention

Study Arms (7)

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Seated at rest during the same duration than the interventions

Static stretching at pain threshold

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Static stretching at pain threshold of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest

Other: Maximal static stretching

Neurodynamic tensioning at pain threshold

EXPERIMENTAL

Neurodynamic tensioning of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at pain threshold

Other: Maximal neurodynamic tensioning

Neurodynamic flossing at pain threshold

EXPERIMENTAL

Neurodynamic flossing of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at pain threshold

Other: Maximal neurodynamic flossing

Static stretching at submaximal intensity

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Static stretching of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at 10% below pain threshold

Other: Submaximal static stretching

Neurodynamic tensioning at submaximal intensity

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Neurodynamic tensioning stretching of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at 10% below pain threshold

Other: Submaximal neurodynamic tensioning

Neurodynamic flossing at submaximal intensity

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Neurodynamic flossing stretching of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at 10% below pain threshold

Other: Submaximal neurodynamic flossing

Interventions

Maximal static stretching OTHER

Static stretching was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. Static stretching mainly focused muscle-tendon tissues.

Static stretching at pain threshold

Submaximal static stretching OTHER

Static stretching was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. Static stretching mainly focused muscle-tendon tissues.

Static stretching at submaximal intensity

Maximal neurodynamic tensioning OTHER

Neurodynamic tensioning was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Tensioning is maintaining the position.

Neurodynamic tensioning at pain threshold

Submaximal neurodynamic tensioning OTHER

Neurodynamic tensioning was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Tensioning is maintaining the position.

Neurodynamic tensioning at submaximal intensity

Maximal neurodynamic flossing OTHER

Neurodynamic flossing was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Flossing is the alternation of these movements every 2 seconds.

Neurodynamic flossing at pain threshold

Submaximal neurodynamic flossing OTHER

Neurodynamic flossing was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Flossing is the alternation of these movements every 2 seconds.

Neurodynamic flossing at submaximal intensity

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• healthy
• physical active
• no injuries (lower limb or back pain) in the past 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• Specific lower limb (hamstring) injuries in the past 2 years
• Not restraining activity 24h before participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Burgundy: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universite Bourgogne Europe - faculty of sports sciences

Dijon, France

Location

Study Officials

• Nicolas Babault, PhD

  Universite Bourgogne Europe - Sport Science Faculty

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2025
• First Posted: December 26, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 20, 2024
• Study Completion: June 15, 2024
• Last Updated: December 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

FR (1)