The Immediate Effects Of Thoracolumbar Fascia Inhibition And Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition

Bulent Ecevit University75 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the immediate effects of two self-myofascial release techniques-suboccipital muscle inhibition and thoracolumbal fascia inhibition-on hamstring flexibility, spinal range of motion, and balance in healthy adults. A total of 75 participants with hamstring tightness were randomly assigned to one of three groups: suboccipital inhibition, thoracolumbal inhibition, or control. All participants performed hamstring stretching, and the intervention groups received one of the inhibition techniques immediately after. Outcomes were measured at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention. The study found that both techniques led to significant improvements in hamstring flexibility and spinal mobility, with region-specific benefits. The thoracolumbal technique was more effective for trunk and hamstring flexibility, while the suboccipital technique provided greater cervical mobility gains. Balance improvements were limited. These findings support the use of targeted myofascial interventions in clinical practice.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy Individuals With Hamstring Tightness

Interventions

Thoracolumbar fascia inhibitionOTHER

Soft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie on their backs without a pillow in a hook-lying position, placing a foam roller under the inferior part of the scapula and clasping their hands behind the cervical region. Then, they will be instructed to lift their hips off the ground and roll the foam roller in a cranial and caudal direction from the inferior scapular region to the sacral area for 30 seconds, performing flexion and extension movements with their knees. This application will be performed in a total of 4 sets.

Suboccipital inhibition groupOTHER

Soft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie in a supine position on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and by dorsiflexing the ankle, they will pull the extended leg toward themselves. This position should be maintained for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not flex during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally.

hamstring stretchingOTHER

Participants performed passive hamstring stretching using a sheet for self-assistance. Participants will be asked to lie supine on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and performing ankle dorsiflexion, they will pull the leg-kept in knee extension-toward themselves. This position should be held for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not move into flexion during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 25 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 25 * Hamstring muscle tightness as defined by Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) ≥ 20° * Ability to follow study instructions and provide informed consent * No participation in other clinical studies within the last 3 months Exclusion Criteria: * AKET \< 20° (i.e., no hamstring tightness) * History of musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic diseases affecting balance or flexibility * Recent injury or surgery involving the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities * Use of medications affecting muscle tone or balance * Inability to perform the required movements or assessments * Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Cervical Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention

Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.