Competitive Atheletes of Brazilian Jiu JitsuMyofascial RxNCT07150039
20 Competitive Athletes of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Where Randomly Assigned in a Myofascial Diaphragm Release Technique or a Sham Technique in Order to Investigate the Immediate Effects of Thoracic Mobility and Chest Expansion
A study testing Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release) in people with Competitive Atheletes of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, run by Evdokia Billis at 1 site in Greece.
Trial summary
Thoracic injuries, in high level competitive Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) athletes occupied a significant percentage of all musculoskeletal injuries in this population. Important factors for reducing injury rates are suggested to be spine and thoracic flexibility, which assist athletes in performing offensive/defensive… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Competitive Atheletes of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- What is being tested?
- Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGreece
- Study dates
- 5 Sep 2023to 2 Jul 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- adult athletes up to 50 years old, with at least three years of experience in athletic BJJ competitions and participate in training sessions at least three times a week without interruption during the last year.
Who cannot join
- Athletes having sustained spinal or rib fractures in the last year or being suffering from chronic diseases
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Greece1 site
Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research (CPR lab)
Pátrai, 26504
About this study
Official title: Immediate Effects of a Myofascial Diaphragm Release Technique on Thoracic Mobility and Chest Expansion in Competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Athletes. A Randomized Crossover Study.
Thoracic injuries, in high level competitive Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) athletes occupied a significant percentage of all musculoskeletal injuries in this population. Important factors for reducing injury rates are suggested to be spine and thoracic flexibility, which assist athletes in performing offensive/defensive techniques. The diaphragm, as one of the main thoracic and breathing muscles, appears to affect spinal flexibility and chest expansion. Thus, this study's objective was to investigate the immediate effects of a myofascial release technique of the diaphragm on chest mobility (expansion) and spinal range of movement (ROM) in BJJ athletes.
Read the detailed description
In order to be assesed the immediate effects of a myofascial release technique on diaphragm, competitive BJJ athletes were subjected to a diaphragmatic release technique and to a sham breathing technique, in random order, across a two-week interval with outcome measures involving thoracic flexion/extension ROM, chest expansion, finger-to-floor (FTF) test and Modified-modified Schober's test (MMST).
- Being tested
- Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release), Sham Comparison
- Keywords
- manual therapy, myofascial reslease technique, diaphragm technique, spinal flexibility, atheletes, diaphragm myofascial release techique
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release)Other
Participants were given a myofascial release technique from a seated position, as described by Chaitow. With this technique, the athlete slightly bends his/her torso in order to relax the abdominal wall and breathes calmly and deeply (Figure 2). The therapist is behind the athlete holding his/her lower ribs, and during exhalation the therapist directs his hands caudally. This steady but gentle 'traction' is maintained throughout the breathing cycles for 4-5 minutes.
Sham ComparisonOther
With this sham comparator technique, the therapist stood behind the athlete (who was sitting) touching the outside of the person's lower ribs without folding his or her fingers or applying any pressure. The athlete is verbally instructed, after fully exhaling the air in their lungs to take deep breaths opening his/her ribs as much as he/she can whistle the therapist's hands follow the movement (without applying any manual pressure or traction). The procedure here also lasted for 4-5 minutes
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Myofascial release intervention arm | Experimental | This myofascial technique was a manual hterapy treatment technique performed in sitting. With this technique, the athlete slightly bends his/her torso in order to relax the abdominal wall and breathes calmly and deeply . The therapist is behind the athlete holding his/her lower ribs, and during exhalation the therapist directs his hands caudally. This steady but gentle 'traction' is maintained throughout the breathing cycles for 4-5 minutes. Receives: Other: Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release) |
| Sham intervention arm | Sham comparator | With this technique (also performed in sitting), the therapist stood behind the athlete touching the outside of the person's lower ribs without folding his or her fingers or applying any pressure. The athlete is verbally instructed, after fully exhaling the air in their lungs to take deep breaths opening his/her ribs as much as he/she can whistle the therapist's hands follow the movement (without applying any manual pressure or traction). The procedure here also lasted for 4-5 minutes. Receives: Other: Sham Comparison |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Chest expansion measurement as assesed by tape measure
Chest expansion was measured in centimeters with a tape measure at two thoracic levels. For the upper chest, the anatomical landmarks used were T5 spinous process, the midline of the clavicle and the third intercostal space. For the lower chest, T10 spinous process and the xiphoid process were used.
Measured: Before and immediately after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (3)
mobility of the thoracolumbar region as assesed by the Modified-modified Schober's test (MMST)
The Modified-modified Schober's test (MMST) was used to measure the mobility of the lumbar/thoracolumbar region in centimeters (cm). The physiotherapist marked the midpoint between the posterior superior iliac spines on the athlete and a line was drawn 15 cm above this point with a dermatographic pen. The distance between the two marked points was measured in upright position. Then, the athlete bended forward as far as possible with knees extended, and the distance between the two marked points was measured again in flexion. The difference between the initial and final measurements in centimeters (cm) represented the lumbar/thoracolumbar total mobility
Measured: Before and immediately acfter the intervention
goniometry of the thoracic flexion and extension range of movement as assessed by buble inclinometers
Two circular bubble inclinometers (goniometers) were used which calculated the range of motion in degrees. Before the measurements, the levels C7/T1 and T12/L1 were identified by palpation and marked on the athlete's body with a dermatographic pen, to point the beginning and end of the thoracic spine. The two inclinometers were then firmly placed at each point with the athlete simulating an upright posture and waited until the inclinometers calibrated to zero. The subject was then asked to bend forward with legs extended, whistle the examiner maintained the inclinometers in perpendicular contact with the marked thoracic points for recording the degree of flexion. To calculate the total thoracic flexion ROM, the A7/T1 inclinometer measurement in degrees was subtracted from that of the T12/L1 level. The same procedure was performed for extension.
Measured: Before and immediately after the intervention
overall mobility of the posterior kinetic chain as assesed by the Fingertip-to-Floor (FTF) test
To assess the overall mobility of the posterior kinetic chain, in the FTF test the subject stood upright on a 20 cm platform with the feet together. He/She was asked to bend forward as far as he/she could while keeping knees parallel and extended with hands and fingers together in full extension. The distance between the tip of the middle finger of the right hand with the ground was measured with a tape measure in centimeters (cm).
Measured: Before and immediately after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Sep 2025
- Study start5 Sep 2023
- Primary completion15 Apr 2024
- Study completion2 Jul 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Competitive Atheletes of Brazilian Jiu JitsuStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Evdokia Billis
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Evdokia Billis, University of Patras
- Investigators
- Evdokia Billis, Physiotherapy, Principal investigator, University of Patras
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07150039
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Myofascial technique on BJJ
- Acronym
- Myofascial Rx
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 2 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Happy to share primary outcome's data
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Immediate Effects of a Myofascial Diaphragm Release Technique on Thoracic Mobility and Chest Expansion in Competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Athletes. A Randomized Crossover Study.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07150039
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Myofascial Rx / Myofascial technique on BJJ
- Keywords
- manual therapy, myofascial reslease technique, diaphragm technique, spinal flexibility, atheletes, diaphragm myofascial release techique
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Evdokia BillisUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Jul 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Thoracic injuries, in high level competitive Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) athletes occupied a significant percentage of all musculoskeletal injuries in this population. Important factors for reducing injury rates are suggested to be spine and thoracic flexibility, which assist athletes in performing offensive/defensive techniques. The diaphragm, as one of the main thoracic and breathing muscles, appears to affect spinal flexibility and chest expansion. Thus, this study's objective was to investigate the immediate effects of a myofascial release technique of the diaphragm on chest mobility (expansion) and spinal range of movement (ROM) in BJJ athletes.
Detailed description
In order to be assesed the immediate effects of a myofascial release technique on diaphragm, competitive BJJ athletes were subjected to a diaphragmatic release technique and to a sham breathing technique, in random order, across a two-week interval with outcome measures involving thoracic flexion/extension ROM, chest expansion, finger-to-floor (FTF) test and Modified-modified Schober's test (MMST).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Myofascial release intervention arm | Experimental | Other: Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release)This myofascial technique was a manual hterapy treatment technique performed in sitting. With this technique, the athlete slightly bends his/her torso in order to relax the abdominal wall and breathes calmly and deeply . The therapist is behind the athlete holding his/her lower ribs, and during exhalation the therapist directs his hands caudally. This steady but gentle 'traction' is maintained throughout the breathing cycles for 4-5 minutes. |
| Sham intervention arm | Sham comparator | Other: Sham ComparisonWith this technique (also performed in sitting), the therapist stood behind the athlete touching the outside of the person's lower ribs without folding his or her fingers or applying any pressure. The athlete is verbally instructed, after fully exhaling the air in their lungs to take deep breaths opening his/her ribs as much as he/she can whistle the therapist's hands follow the movement (without applying any manual pressure or traction). The procedure here also lasted for 4-5 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- adult athletes up to 50 years old, with at least three years of experience in athletic BJJ competitions and participate in training sessions at least three times a week without interruption during the last year.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Athletes having sustained spinal or rib fractures in the last year or being suffering from chronic diseases
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release)Participants were given a myofascial release technique from a seated position, as described by Chaitow. With this technique, the athlete slightly bends his/her torso in order to relax the abdominal wall and breathes calmly and deeply (Figure 2). The therapist is behind the athlete holding his/her lower ribs, and during exhalation the therapist directs his hands caudally. This steady but gentle 'traction' is maintained throughout the breathing cycles for 4-5 minutes. | Other | Myofascial release intervention arm |
| Sham ComparisonWith this sham comparator technique, the therapist stood behind the athlete (who was sitting) touching the outside of the person's lower ribs without folding his or her fingers or applying any pressure. The athlete is verbally instructed, after fully exhaling the air in their lungs to take deep breaths opening his/her ribs as much as he/she can whistle the therapist's hands follow the movement (without applying any manual pressure or traction). The procedure here also lasted for 4-5 minutes | Other | Sham intervention arm |
Primary outcome
Chest expansion measurement as assesed by tape measure
Time frame: Before and immediately after the intervention
Chest expansion was measured in centimeters with a tape measure at two thoracic levels. For the upper chest, the anatomical landmarks used were T5 spinous process, the midline of the clavicle and the third intercostal space. For the lower chest, T10 spinous process and the xiphoid process were used.
3 secondary outcomes
mobility of the thoracolumbar region as assesed by the Modified-modified Schober's test (MMST)
Time frame: Before and immediately acfter the intervention
goniometry of the thoracic flexion and extension range of movement as assessed by buble inclinometers
Time frame: Before and immediately after the intervention
overall mobility of the posterior kinetic chain as assesed by the Fingertip-to-Floor (FTF) test
Time frame: Before and immediately after the intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Happy to share primary outcome's data
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Evdokia Billis, Physiotherapy principal investigator
University of Patras
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Manual therapy intervention (Chaitow's myofascial diaphragm release) in people with Competitive Atheletes of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, run by Evdokia Billis at 1 site in Greece.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Greece. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Chest expansion measurement as assesed by tape measure (time frame: Before and immediately after the intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Sep 2025.