Effects of Myofascial Release, Dynamic and Static Stretching in Adolescent Karate Athletes

NCT07573267 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Karate- 2025-104
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized single-blind crossover trial investigated the acute effects of three different exercise modalities, namely self-myofascial release with a foam roller, dynamic stretching, and static stretching, on posture, flexibility, dynamic balance, and lower-extremity performance in adolescent karate athletes (12-18 years). Participants attended four weekly sessions at the same time of day and after a 48-hour rest period. In the first week a baseline (control) measurement was performed, and in the following three weeks each participant received the three interventions in a randomized order. Outcomes included a four-view smartphone-based posture analysis (PostureScreen Mobile), the Sit-and-Reach Test, the Y Balance Test, the 30-second Sit-to-Stand Test, and the Vertical Jump Test (My Jump Lab 2). The aim was to identify which warm-up modality offers the greatest acute benefit before karate-specific performance

Conditions

Adolescent Athletic Performance; Flexibility; Stretching Exercises; Sports Physical Therapy; Martial Arts

Keywords

Adolescent Athletic Performance; Flexibility; Stretching Exercises; Sports Physical Therapy; Martial Arts

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sit-and-Reach Test (cm)

  Lower-extremity flexibility was measured with a standard sit-and-reach box. Participants reached forward as far as possible with both hands while keeping the knees extended; the most distal point reached was recorded in centimeters. Higher values indicate greater flexibility. Safety Issue: No.

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Y Balance Test (composite reach distance, cm)

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

• 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (number of repetitions)

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

• Vertical Jump Height (cm) - My Jump Lab 2

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

• Posture Analysis (PostureScreen Mobile - PSM)

  Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session

Study Arms (3)

Static Stretching (SS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised static stretching of knee flexors, knee extensors and hip extensors. Each stretch was held for 30 seconds at the end-range, repeated 5 times per muscle group with 15-second rest between repetitions.

Behavioral: Static Stretching

Dynamic Stretching (DS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised dynamic stretching protocol comprising walking knee-to-chest, walking heel-to-buttock (quadriceps), and walking straight-leg kicks. Each exercise was performed for 30 seconds (one repetition every 2 seconds), 5 sets with 15-second inter-set rest.

Behavioral: Dynamic Stretching

Self-Myofascial Release (MR)

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised foam-roller application to the knee extensors, knee flexors and hip extensors. Each muscle group was rolled for 30 seconds x 5 sets at a cadence of 40-60 bpm using a medium-density EVA foam roller while transferring body weight onto the roller.

Behavioral: Self Myofascial Release

Interventions

Dynamic Stretching BEHAVIORAL

Single-session dynamic stretching protocol targeting the hip flexors/extensors and knee flexors/extensors with continuous walking-based movements; 30 seconds x 5 sets per exercise with 15-second rest, performed under physiotherapist supervision.

Dynamic Stretching (DS)

Static Stretching BEHAVIORAL

Single-session static stretching protocol for the lower-extremity (knee flexors, knee extensors, hip extensors): 30-second hold x 5 repetitions x 15-second rest, performed under physiotherapist supervision.

Static Stretching (SS)

Self Myofascial Release BEHAVIORAL

Self-myofascial release applied with a medium-density EVA foam roller. Each lower-extremity muscle group received 5 sets of 30-second rolling at 40-60 bpm, with 4-second forward-and-back rolling cycles, performed under physiotherapist supervision

Self-Myofascial Release (MR)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 12-18 years.
• Active karate training of at least 4 days per week and at least 10 hours per week.
• Ability to communicate in Turkish or English (written and verbal).
• Written informed assent of the participant and informed consent of the parent/legal guardian.

You may not qualify if:

• Any systemic, orthopedic, neurologic, chronic or psychiatric disease.
• Any health problem precluding regular training participation.
• Long-term steroid use.
• Use within the past 48 hours of medications known to influence musculoskeletal performance.
• During the study: pain greater than 3/10 on the VAS, intercurrent illness or injury, or participant request to withdraw.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istinye University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Muscle Stretching Exercises

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Every participant complete all interventions with different order. They only informed about all interventions causes relaxation on muscles. Thet don't informed about which one is probably more effective.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: assistant professor, PhD

Model Details: Randomized single-blind three-period crossover trial; each participant received all three interventions in a randomized order with one-week wash-out periods.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 1, 2026
• First Posted: May 7, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 15, 2025
• Study Completion: July 30, 2025
• Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

TU (1)