The Impact of Fascial Manipulation® on Posterior Shoulder Tightness in Asymptomatic Handball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

This prospective study aimed to determine the impact of Fascial Manipulation® by Stecco (FM) on the range of motion (ROM) of internal rotation (IR) and horizontal adduction (HADD) in asymptomatic handball players, representing significant risk factors for shoulder injuries. A randomized controlled trial was conducted, with participants randomly assigned to either the investigated group (N = 29) receiving a single session of FM or the control group (N = 27) receiving no treatment. The ROM for IR and HADD were measured before, immediately after, and one month after the FM session. The investigated group experienced a statistically significant acute increase in glenohumeral IR (14 degrees, p < 0.001) and HADD (14 degrees, p < 0.001) compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The positive effects of FM persisted one month post-treatment, with increased IR ROM by 12 degrees (p < 0.001) and HADD ROM by 11 degrees (p < 0.001). Participants in the investigated group reported lower subjective tightness/stiffness immediately after (p < 0.001) and one month after treatment (p = 0.002) compared to the control group. This study demonstrates that a single application of FM effectively improves glenohumeral ROM in the dominant throwing shoulder of asymptomatic handball players. It highlights the immediate and sustained positive effects of FM on IR and HADD. These findings support the use of FM as an effective method for enhancing shoulder ROM and reducing subjective tightness/stiffness. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06009367).