Affiliations: [a] Sensory and Motor Control, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan | [b] Physical Therapy Course, Department of Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan | [c] Department of Rehabilitation, Kitasato University Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan | [d] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Naonobu Takahira, Physical Therapy Course, Department of Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Kitasato 1-15-1, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan. Tel.: +81 42 778 8111; Fax: +81 42 778 9697; E-mail: takahira@med.kitasato-u.ac.jp.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tissue flossing is a new method aiming to improving range of motion (ROM), pain, and enhancing injury prevention. Tissue flossing involves passive twisting and active movement with the muscle or joint tightly wrapped with a floss band. However, evidence is lacking regarding the effects of flossing. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of flossing and static stretching (SS) on gastrocnemius (GC) function. METHODS: Twenty healthy young men received three interventions (Flossing, SS, Rest). The experimental intervention involved flossing using a floss band (Sanctband COMPRE FlossTM Blueberry), and the control intervention involved SS for 5 minutes. The following outcomes were measured before (pre) and after (post) each intervention: dorsiflexion ROM, passive moment, fascicle length, muscle hardness, maximal isometric voluntary plantar flexion contraction, rate of force development (RFD), and muscle activity. RESULTS: The pre-post changes in RFD 0–50 and RFD 0–100 ms were significantly higher with Flossing compared to SS. The pre-post changes in dorsiflexion ROM was significantly higher with Flossing compared to Rest. CONCLUSIONS: Flossing on GC improved RFD 0–50 and RFD 0–100 ms with an increase in dorsiflexion ROM unlike SS. Research is warranted whether flossing before exercise may be more beneficial than SS for injury prevention and physical performance enhancement.
Keywords: Floss band, fascia, compression, range of motion, rate of force development
