The Comparison of Mechanical Percussion Therapy and Manual Stretching on Hamstring Length.
Nathan Nevin, David Boyce, Chris Gambert and 3 others
PMID 40182914WHAT IT FOUND
Both five-minute percussive massage and static stretching acutely improved hamstring length compared to doing nothing.
There was no significant difference in post-test scores between the two treatments, suggesting either method is a viable option for immediate range of motion gains.
Key findings
01Both static stretching and mechanical percussive massage resulted in statistically significant increases in passive knee extension range of motion compared to baseline.
02The control group showed no significant change in range of motion from pre-test to post-test.
03There were no statistically significant differences in range of motion outcomes between the stretching group and the percussive massage group.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study only measured immediate, acute changes in range of motion; it does not indicate which treatment is better for long-term flexibility or performance. The sample consisted exclusively of young, healthy male football players, so results may not apply to other populations, such as older adults, females, or those with chronic conditions. Only one specific percussive device was tested at one frequency and pressure setting, so findings may not generalize to other brands or parameters. The stretching group had a higher baseline range of motion than the massage group, which may have influenced the magnitude of observed changes.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that the larger effect size in the stretching group means it is clinically superior. The difference in post-test scores between stretching and massage was not statistically significant, so both are considered viable options for acute range of motion gains.