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NCT Number: NCT07306416

Acute Effects of Tissue Flossing on Muscle Properties and Jump Performance in Handball

Purpose of the Study This study looked at how two popular warm-up techniques-tissue flossing and foam rolling-affect muscle flexibility, muscle properties, and jumping ability in young male handball players. The goal was to see which method might be better for preparing athletes for performance.

What Are These Techniques?

Tissue flossing: Wrapping a special elastic band tightly around a muscle or joint for a short time while moving. This temporarily reduces blood flow, and when the band is removed, blood rushes back in, which may boost muscle readiness.

Foam rolling: Using your body weight to roll muscles over a firm foam cylinder. This applies pressure to the muscle and fascia, helping to relax tight areas and increase flexibility.

Who Took Part? 30 male handball players, around 17 years old, who were healthy and injury-free. None had regularly used tissue flossing or foam rolling before.

How Was the Study Done?

Each player tried all three conditions on separate days:

Tissue flossing

Foam rolling

Control (no special technique, just exercises)

Before and after each session, the researchers measured:

Active range of motion (AROM) - how far they could move their leg muscles without help

Muscle properties - stiffness and tone of key thigh muscles

Jump performance - height and speed of force production in a countermovement jump

Measurements were taken before, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after each warm-up.

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Key information

Conditions

Tissue Flossing

Age range

15 year–22 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University

Prague, 261 01, Czechia

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Self-identified male
  • Aged approximately 16-18 years
  • Active handball player with at least 8 years of playing experience
  • Currently healthy with no injuries in the past 3 months
  • Able to perform physical activity and complete all testing procedures
  • No prior regular use of tissue flossing (TF) or foam rolling (FR) techniques

Exclusion criteria

  • Current or recent (within 3 months) musculoskeletal injury
  • Any medical condition that would limit safe participation in exercise testing
  • Previous experience with tissue flossing (TF) or regular use of foam rolling (FR)
  • Inability to follow study instructions or complete all sessions

Treatment and study plan

Tissue Flossing conditioning

Other

Tissue flossing using a 5 cm x 3.5 m green Sanctband Comprefloss band was wrapped around the thigh area. After the floss band was applied, the participants did 10 bodyweight squats, making sure to bend their knees to a 90-degree angle. Next, they did 10 dynamic lunges on each leg, switching legs after each lunge. After finishing these exercises, the floss band was removed.

foam rolling

Other

Using a firm foam roller to roll the quadriceps and hamstrings for 30 seconds per side.

Primary outcomes

  1. Active Range of Motion

    Time frame: Before the intervention, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after the intervention.

    Measured using the Active Knee Extension (AKE) test for both legs to assess hamstring flexibility.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Jump Performance - Jump Height

    Time frame: Before the intervention, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after the intervention.

    Height achieved in a countermovement jump (CMJ) without arm swing, measured with a force plate.

  2. Jump Performance - Braking Rate of Force Development

    Time frame: Before the intervention, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after the intervention.

    The rate at which force is developed during the braking phase of the CMJ, measured via force plate.

Other outcomes

  1. Viscoelastic Muscle Properties - Stiffness

    Time frame: Before the intervention, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after the intervention.

    Muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) in both legs, measured with the MyotonPRO device

  2. Viscoelastic Muscle Properties - Tone

    Time frame: Before the intervention, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after the intervention

    Muscle tone (oscillation frequency) of the RF, VL, and BF in both legs, measured with the MyotonPRO device.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Charles University, Czech Republic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Effects of Tissue Flossing on the Viscoelastic Properties of the Muscles and Jump Performance in Handball Players: a Crossover Design

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Dec 29, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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