| dc.description.abstract | Objective: Tissue compression combined with partial vascular occlusion using tissue flossing is thought to cause a deformation in fascial tissue, thus increasing range of motion within a joint. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of tissue flossing as an intervention to increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in Division I football athletes. Design: This study design had participants go through range of motion tests prior to the application of the floss band. After the floss band was applied, participants were to perform non-weight bearing and weight bearing exercises, which were succeeded by post-intervention range of motion testing. In the current study, one ankle served as the intervention (FLOSS) while the contralateral ankle served as the control (CON). Setting: College/University, Division I Athletic Training Room. Participants: 9 male collegiate football athletes. Main Outcome Measures: Pre and post measures included handheld goniometry for dorsiflexion (DF) and weight bearing lunge test (WBLT). Results: FLOSS resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improvements in both standard dorsiflexion goniometric measurements (p < 0.01) and the weight bearing lunge test (p < 0.016) over time (pre vs. post). However, there were no significant differences between FLOSS and CON for each outcome measure at each time point. Conclusion: The utilization of tissue flossing to increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is a plausible and potentially beneficial therapeutic intervention. Although this study was limited by a small sample size, results indicated improvements were made in FLOSS over time. | |
