Effects of Long-term Foam Rolling Compared to Static Stretching on Hamstring Muscle Flexibility

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Muscle Hypertonia
• Interventions: Other: Foam Rolling; Other: Static Stretching

• Registration Number: NCT02808923
• Lead Sponsor: Creighton University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study to to compare the long-term effects of foam rolling in comparison to static stretching and a control group on hamstring flexibility. The investigators hypothesize that participants in the foam rolling and static stretching group will demonstrate increased flexibility to the control group, but will a difference will not be observed between the foam rolling and static stretching groups.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2016-06
• Study Start: 2016-06
• Study First Submitted: 2016-06-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-06-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-06-18
• Study First Posted: 2016-06-22
• Last Update Posted: 2016-06-22
• Primary Completion: 2016-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 45

Inclusion Criteria

• Active 90/90 hamstring length goniometric measurement of greater than 10 degrees at baseline
• Active straight leg raise of less than 90 degrees

Exclusion Criteria

• History of lower extremity injury including but not limited to sprain, strain, fracture, or any surgical intervention that lead to a decrease in activity greater than two weeks within the last six months
• Current involvement in a lower extremity flexibility program outside of their regular activity

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Foam rolling	Foam Rolling	Participants in the foam rolling group will perform unilateral rolling of the hamstring musculature from ischial tuberosity to posterior knee in supine for 2 repetitions of 1 minute with 15 second rest between repetitions at a consistent cadence of 1 second superiorly and 1 second inferiorly. Subjects will be asked to adjust pressure as needed to maintain a consistent moderate pressure on the treatment area. Participants will use new and individually issued high density foam rollers that are 6" diameter x 36" length.
Static stretching	Static Stretching	Participants in the static stretching group will perform sustained static hamstring stretching for 2 repetitions of 1 minute bouts for the same leg before switching sides using moderate pressure in supine against the wall. Subjects will rest for 15 seconds between repetitions and adjust distance from the wall to perceive moderate intensity.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in 90/90 hamstring length	Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks	Participant is supine, hip flexed to 90 degrees, knee extension range of motion measured actively from 90 degree starting position with a standard goniometer

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Active straight leg raise - Range of motion	Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks	Participant is supine, with contralateral leg straight the participant will actively raise the leg until end of range with hip flexion being measured by goniometer
Change in Active straight leg raise - Functional Movement Screen	Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks	Participant is supine, with contralateral leg straight the participant will actively raise the leg until end of range. This end range will be compared to a standardized position using a dowel and will be scored according to the functional movement screen.
Change in Sit-and-reach	Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks	Using a standardized sit-and-reach box, participants will sit with legs together, knees extended, and hands overlapped and extended in front of the body. The subject will forward flex until end range of motion measured in centimeters.