Author(s): YAZITAS, A., ATALAY, E.S., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, Country: TURKEY, Abstract-ID: 1709

INTRODUCTION:
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization methods such as the Graston Technique are increasingly used to improve soft tissue extensibility, joint range of motion, and functional performance. The plantar fascia has a critical role in foot biomechanics, load transfer, and posterior chain continuity through myofascial connections. Restrictions in this structure may negatively influence ankle mobility, flexibility, and balance control. Although plantar fascia stretching and Graston application are commonly used in clinical and sports settings, comparative evidence on their acute combined and isolated effects on mobility, flexibility, and dynamic balance in recreationally active young adults remains limited. This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of plantar fascia stretching alone and stretching combined with the Graston Technique.
METHODS:
Forty recreationally active healthy adults aged 18–35 years participated in this randomized controlled study and were randomly allocated to a stretching-only group or a stretching plus Graston group. Ankle joint range of motion was measured bilaterally using standard goniometry, trunk flexibility with the sit-and-reach test, and dynamic balance with the Y-Balance Test. Measurements were performed immediately before and after the interventions. Both groups completed a standardized plantar fascia stretching protocol consisting of 10 repetitions per extremity, while the intervention group additionally received instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization with the Graston Technique for 3 minutes per extremity. Parametric tests were used and between-group differences in change scores were analyzed (p<0.05).
RESULTS:
Significant within-group improvements were observed in all ankle range of motion parameters, sit-and-reach flexibility scores, and Y-Balance reach distances in both groups (p<0.05). Between-group comparisons demonstrated significantly greater gains in plantarflexion and eversion range of motion in the stretching plus Graston group compared with stretching alone. Flexibility improvement measured by the sit-and-reach test was also significantly higher in the combined intervention group. However, no statistically significant differences were found between groups in Y-Balance directional or composite scores, indicating comparable acute balance responses.
CONCLUSION:
The findings indicate that adding the Graston Technique to plantar fascia stretching provides additional short-term benefits in selected ankle mobility parameters and posterior chain flexibility beyond stretching alone. The greater flexibility gains may be explained by myofascial chain effects and reduced fascial restrictions. Both interventions produced meaningful acute improvements in dynamic balance, but the combined approach did not show superiority in balance outcomes. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization can therefore be considered a practical complementary strategy to enhance mobility and flexibility in recreationally active young adults.