Author(s): FELIX TEO, J.J., MUKHERJEE, S., Institution: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, Country: SINGAPORE, Abstract-ID: 2209

INTRODUCTION:
Tissue Flossing (TF) involves wrapping a thick rubber band around a joint or muscle for partial occlusion of blood flow, while performing range-of-motion exercises [1]. It has gained popularity in recent years for improving range-of-motion and functional performance, speeding up recovery, and decreasing pain caused by diseases or injuries [2]. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms remain largely speculative. Specifically, the effects of TF on muscle contractile characteristics are yet to be defined. This study investigated the effects of an acute bout of TF on the muscle contractile characteristics and functional performance of the uninjured quadriceps femoris muscle.
METHODS:
A randomized crossover design was adopted. Muscle contractile characteristics of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis were measured using the TMG-100 tensiomyography system (TMG). The parameters recorded were delay time, contraction time, sustain time, relaxation time, and maximal radial displacement. Functional performance was assessed using a single-leg triple-hop distance test (HOP). Participants were screened for leg dominance, then randomized to the dominant or non-dominant leg group. In each session, TMG and HOP were first conducted to obtain baseline measures. After TF of the quadriceps femoris for a maximum of 3 minutes, measurements were repeated. After at least 24 hours, participants returned for testing of the contralateral leg using the same methodology.
RESULTS:
Eighteen male recreational athletes (mean age: 23.9years) participating in sports with a major involvement of the quadriceps femoris muscle were recruited. After an acute bout of TF, there was a significant improvement in HOP for the non-dominant leg, from 540.11cm to 563.39cm (p = .001). The HOP for the dominant leg also increased from 544.22cm to 553.83cm, but it was not significant (p = .207). Additionally, no significant changes in quadriceps femoris contractile characteristics were observed.
CONCLUSION:
The results from this study suggest that TF can be a useful intervention to improve functional athletic performance. However, our findings could not be attributed to the specific neuromuscular measures examined in this study through TMG parameters. Similarly, other studies reported improvements in maximum voluntary contraction but could not elucidate them using changes in mechanical or neuromuscular properties [3]. Thus, it is likely that TF elicits improvements in functional performance through other mechanisms such as increased growth hormone and norepinephrine levels following compression release [4]. Future studies should investigate these other possible mechanisms, such as hormonal changes, fascial shearing and decongestion of joint effusions.

1. Starrett & Cordoza (2015) 2. Konrad et al. (2021) 3. Konrad et al. (2020) 4. Driller et al. (2017)