The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2021 Feb 23

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.11828-6

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Effect of hamstring tissue flossing during warm-up on sit and reach performance

Anna HADAMUS ¹ ✉, Maria KOWALSKA ², Martyna KĘDRA ², Karolina WIADERNA ¹, Dariusz BIAŁOSZEWSKI ¹

¹ Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; ² Student Scientific Society for Physiotherapy, Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

BACKGROUND: Tissue flossing, also called voodoo flossing, is becoming a popular adjunct to athletic training to improve joint range of motion and muscle strength. The authors of this technique believe that tissue flossing can be used during warm-up. This study investigated the effect of tissue flossing during warm-up on the range of motion in the sit and reach test.
METHODS: The study enrolled 40 recreational athletes divided into an experimental and control group consisting of 20 participants each. The range of trunk flexion was assessed with the sit and reach test. Participants were tested before as well as immediately and 15, 30 and 45 minutes after completing the 9-minute warm-up. During the warm-up, athletes in the experimental group wore a floss band on the thigh muscles, while athletes in the control group exercised without wearing a floss band.
RESULTS: The sit and reach test revealed an improved range of motion after the warm-up in both groups (p<0.05). The improvement was noted at all time points. Regression analysis showed no effect of any of the study parameters (group assignment, sex, age, body mass index, pain intensity on a visual analogue scale) on the improvement in the sit and reach test results.
CONCLUSIONS: The similar results obtained in both groups indicate that there may not be a rationale for using tissue flossing during warm-up to improve trunk and hip flexibility.

KEY WORDS: Floss band; Range of motion; Voodoo flossing; Vascular occlusion