IASTM vs. Static Stretching for Hamstring Tightness: Short- and Long-Term Effects

ConditionHamstring Tightness

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18+

SponsorGÖKHAN MARAŞ

About this trial

This study compares two treatments for people with tight hamstring muscles (the muscles at the back of the thigh): instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and static stretching. Both are commonly used by physical therapists to improve flexibility, but few studies have looked at their effects beyond a few days after treatment ends.

Forty-six adults with hamstring tightness will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive IASTM, and the other will receive static stretching. Both treatments will be given 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total).

Researchers will measure flexibility (knee extension range of motion), pressure pain threshold, and physical performance (vertical jump and single-leg hop distance) at three time points: before treatment, 3 days after the last session, and 8 weeks after treatment ends. The goal is to find out which treatment provides better short-term and longer-term benefits.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Age 18 years or older

Hamstring tightness, defined as hip flexion range of motion <65° on the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test, without neurological signs

No diagnosed chronic musculoskeletal or systemic disease

Signed informed consent form

Disqualifiers

Previous trauma or surgical operation involving the lower extremity

Neurological symptoms radiating to one or both lower extremities due to hamstring injury, spinal pathology, or sciatic nerve involvement

Ankle instability

Pregnancy

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Other intervention
Participants will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applied to the hamstring muscle group using a stainless-steel instrument in a scanning technique, distal-to-proximal direction, for 5 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total).
Static Stretching
Other intervention
Participants will receive manual static stretching of the hamstring muscle group, performed in 5 repetitions of 30 seconds of stretch followed by 30 seconds of rest (5 minutes total per session), 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total).

Treatment groups

46 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: IASTMExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Static StretchingActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Change in Knee Extension Range of Motion (Flexibility)

Knee extension range of motion during 90° hip flexion, measured with a digital inclinometer, as an indicator of hamstring flexibility.

Time frame

Baseline, 3 days after final session (short-term), and 8 weeks after intervention completion (long-term)

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

GÖKHAN MARAŞ

Lead sponsor

Gazi University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: