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

Creighton University45 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Muscle Hypertonia

Interventions

Foam RollingOTHER

Participants will perform unilateral hamstring rolling for 2 repetitions of 1 minute with 15 second rest breaks on each leg with a 6"x 36" foam roller.

Static StretchingOTHER

Participants will perform supine static hamstring stretch on a wall for 2 repetitions of 1 minute with 15 second rest breaks on each leg. When the position no longer causes a moderate stretching sensation to the hamstring, subjects will move their bodies closer to the wall to intensify the stretch.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 19 YearsMax age: 40 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in 90/90 hamstring length

Participant is supine, hip flexed to 90 degrees, knee extension range of motion measured actively from 90 degree starting position with a standard goniometer

Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Active straight leg raise - Range of motion

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

Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks

Change in Active straight leg raise - Functional Movement Screen

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.

Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks

Change in Sit-and-reach

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.

Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks

Central Contacts

Trevor Schongalla, DPT

CONTACT

541-777-0686 trevorschongalla@creighton.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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