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Acute  Effects of Tissue Flossing Around the Upper Thigh on Neuromuscular Performance:  A Study Using Different Degrees of Wrapping Pressure
  • Matjaž, Vogrin,
  • Miloš Kalc,
  • Teja Ličen
Matjaž, Vogrin
University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Sports Medicine, University Medical Centre Maribor, Department of Orthopaedics
Miloš Kalc
University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Sports Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Teja Ličen
University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Sports Medicine

Abstract

Context: It has been recently demonstrated that tissue flossing around the ankle joint can be effectively used to improve ankle range of motion, jump and sprint ability. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the acute effects of tissue flossing applied around the thigh. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the acute effects of tissue flossing, and the degree of floss band pressure, around the upper-thigh on Active straight leg raise test, knee extensor and flexor maximum voluntary contraction and associated thigh muscle tensiomyography parameters. Design: Cross-over design in 3 distinct sessions. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: 19 recreationally trained volunteers (age 23.78 ± 4.85). Intervention: Active knee extension and flexion performed for 3 sets of 2 minutes (2 minutes rest between sets with wrapped upper-thigh. Individualized wrapping pressures were applied to create conditions of high (HIGH) and moderate (LOW) vascular occlusion, while a loose band application served as a control condition (CON). Main Outcome Measures: Participants were assessed for Active straight leg raise test (ASLR), tensiomyography displacement (Dm) and contraction time (Tc) for rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles, maximum voluntary contractions for knee extensors (extMVC) and flexors (flexMVC) for pre (PRE), after (POST) and 30 minutes after (POST30) applying the floss band. There was a statistically significant increase in extMVC and a significant shortening in rectus femoris Tc for the LOW condition, which was associated with small to medium effects in favor of the LOW condition. There were no statistically significant changes observed between CON and HIGH conditions. The ASLR test was unaffected regardless of intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that tissue flossing around the upper-thigh might have a localized as well as pressure-sensitive response, thereby improving neuromuscular function of the knee extensors.
01 May 2021Published in Journal of Sport Rehabilitation volume 30 issue 4 on pages 601-608. 10.1123/jsr.2020-0105