Effects of Different Tissue Flossing Applications on Range of Motion, Maximum Voluntary Contraction, and H-Reflex in Young Martial Arts Fighters.

Miloš Kalc,Samo Mikl,Matjaž Vogrin,Thomas Stöggl,Franci Žökš

doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.752641

Miloš Kalc, Samo Mikl + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.752641

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tissue flossing applied to the ankle joint or to the calf muscles, on ankle joint flexibility, plantarflexor strength and soleus H reflex. Eleven young (16.6 ± 1.2 years) martial arts fighters were exposed to three different intervention protocols in distinct sessions. The interventions consisted of wrapping the ankle (ANKLE) or calf (CALF) with an elastic band for 3 sets of 2 min (2 min rest) to create vascular occlusion. A third intervention without wrapping the elastic band served as a control condition (CON). Active range of motion for ankle (AROM), plantarflexor maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and soleus H reflex were assessed before (PRE), after (POST), and 10 min after (POST10) the intervention. The H reflex, level of pain (NRS) and wrapping pressure were also assessed during the intervention. Both CALF and ANKLE protocols induced a significant drop in H reflex during the intervention. However, the CALF protocol resulted in a significantly larger H reflex reduction during and after the flossing intervention (medium to large effect size). H reflexes returned to baseline levels 10 min after the intervention in all conditions. AROM and MVC were unaffected by any intervention. The results of this study suggest that tissue flossing can decrease the muscle soleus H reflex particularly when elastic band is wrapped around the calf muscles. However, the observed changes at the spinal level did not translate into higher ankle joint flexibility or plantarflexor strength.

Highlights

Martial arts are dynamic activities where the athletes require muscular power, strength, and joint flexibility (Bridge et al, 2014)
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tissue flossing applied on the ankle joint or on the calf muscles on the ankle range of motion (ROM), plantarflexor maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and soleus muscle (SOL) H reflex
The main findings of this study were that the H reflex was statistically significantly reduced during flossing in CALF and ANKLE conditions and immediately after flossing in the CALF condition

Summary

Introduction

Martial arts are dynamic activities where the athletes require muscular power, strength, and joint flexibility (Bridge et al, 2014). The interest has focused on the effects of different stretching modalities such as dynamic stretching or foam rolling, which have the potential to increase joint flexibility and maintain muscle power (Opplert and Babault, 2018). Tissue flossing is a novel method, which consists of wrapping part of a limb with a thick elastic band, increasing pressure and producing vascular occlusion in a part of that limb distal from the band. Some studies have recently recognized the value of this technique as a way of increasing joint range of motion (ROM) while maintaining or even increasing muscle strength and power (Driller and Overmayer, 2017)

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