The Effects of Soft Tissue Flossing on Hamstring Range of Motion and Lower Extremity Power.
Zachary Maust, Debbie Bradney, Sean M Collins and 2 others
PMID 34123521WHAT IT FOUND
Flossing the thigh improved hamstring flexibility by 4.67 degrees immediately, but the sham band also improved flexibility by 2.19 degrees.
Neither flossing nor sham affected jump power, so the added benefit of compression is unclear.
Key findings
01Flossing improved hamstring flexibility by 4.67 degrees immediately after the intervention.
02A sham band with very light pressure also improved flexibility by 2.19 degrees, suggesting part of the benefit may not be due to compression.
03Neither flossing nor sham treatment significantly changed single-leg vertical jump power.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 21 healthy, recreationally active university students, so results may not apply to injured or athletic populations. The sham band produced a statistically significant increase in flexibility, making it difficult to isolate how much of the flossing benefit is due to compression versus the movement protocol or placebo effect. The analysis of jump power had low statistical power, increasing the risk of missing a true effect (Type II error). Measurements were taken immediately after intervention; the duration of flexibility gains was not assessed.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that flossing is superior to a loose band for improving flexibility. The sham treatment also significantly increased range of motion, and the difference between the two active conditions was not the primary comparison reported.