Immediate Effects of Calf Tissue Flossing on Ankle Joint Torque and Dorsiflexion Range of Motion in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial
1Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan 2Department of Rehabilitation, Yokohama Sports Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan 3Department of Rehabilitation, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan 4Department of Rehabilitation, IMS Tokyo Katsushika General Hospital, Katsushika, Japan 5Department of Rehabilitation, Keiyu Orthopaedic Hospital, Tatebayashi, Japan 6Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Funabashi Orthopedic Hospital, Funabashi, Japan 7Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
Masashi Kawabata ✉ PhD, RPT Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences. 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan Email: mkawaba@kitasato-u.ac.jp
Received: 26-08-2024 -- Accepted: 02-10-2024 Published (online): 01-12-2024
ABSTRACT
Tissue flossing involves wrapping a rubber band around a muscle group for a few minutes while performing joint motion, enhancing ankle joint torque and range of motion. As limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and plantar flexion muscle weakness are risk factors for sports injury, assessing the therapeutic effects of tissue flossing is important. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of calf tissue flossing on enhancing ankle joint torque and dorsiflexion range of motion. We conducted a randomized controlled crossover trial involving 19 healthy adult males who received two interventions (low and high-pressure tissue flossing bands) and a control condition (underwrap). Each intervention was applied for 2 minutes on the non-dominant calf, with 5–10 days between sessions. A pressure sensor placed on the posterior calf monitored the wrapping compression force. The intervention exercise comprised six voluntary isometric contractions of the ankle at three angles (20° plantar flexion, neutral 0°, and 10° dorsiflexion) for 3 seconds each using a dynamometer. The maximal isometric ankle plantar flexion torque and dorsiflexion range of motion were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Significant interactions were observed in ankle plantar flexion torque at 10° dorsiflexion (p < 0.01) but not at 0° or 20° plantar flexion. The low- and high-pressure bands significantly enhanced ankle plantar flexion torque by 4.3 Nm (effect size [ES]: 0.14, p = 0.02) and 4.9 Nm (ES: 0.15, p < 0.05), respectively, and also enhanced the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion by 1.7° (ES: 0.43, p < 0.01) and 1.3° (ES: 0.35, p = 0.02), respectively, compared to the control. The low- and high-pressure band conditions had comparable effects on torque and range of motion. A few minutes of the calf tissue flossing intervention significantly enhanced ankle plantar flexion torque and dorsiflexion range of motion, although the effect sizes were trivial to small.
An acute bout of calf tissue flossing immediately inhibited the decrease in ankle plantar flexion torque and slightly enhanced it.
The intervention had a minor effect on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.
The technique is quick and easy to perform, suitable for sports warm-ups and practice.
No adverse effects or arterial occlusion were observed with either compression level.
Further research is needed to explore long-term benefits, optimal compression levels, and effects on diverse populations.
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Immediate Effects of Calf Tissue Flossing on Ankle Joint Torque and Dorsiflexion Range of Motion in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial