Hamstring ShortnessNCT07260630
Acute Effects of Different Soft Tissue Techniques on Hamstring Tightness
A study testing Stretching Group, Self-Myofascial Release and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in people with Hamstring Shortness, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Flexibility is one of the key components of health-related physical fitness and is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, joint structure, and muscle anatomy. Hamstring tightness can contribute to multiple lower extremity injuries. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Hamstring Shortness
- What is being tested?
- Stretching Group, Self-Myofascial Release and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jan 2025to 15 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 30 years
- Presence of hamstring tightness (Straight Leg Raise angle < 65°)
- No diagnosed chronic diseases
- Voluntary participation and signed informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of lower extremity trauma or surgery
- Symptoms radiating to one or both legs due to hamstring, spinal, or sciatic nerve injury
- Ankle instability
- Neurological findings during the straight leg raise test
- Presence of hyperalgesia, hematoma, varicose veins, or skin infection in the lower limb
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Acute Effects of Stretching, Myofascial Release, and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Individuals With Hamstring Tightness: Randomized Double-Blind Study
Flexibility is one of the key components of health-related physical fitness and is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, joint structure, and muscle anatomy. Hamstring tightness can contribute to multiple lower extremity injuries. While traditional methods like stretching and myofascial release are commonly used to improve flexibility, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has recently gained popularity. However, no studies in the current literature have compared the acute effects of these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness. This study aims to compare the acute effects of stretching, myofascial release, and IASTM in individuals diagnosed with hamstring tightness (defined as <65° of hip flexion in the straight leg raise test without neurological findings).
Read the detailed description
Hamstring tightness is a common musculoskeletal problem that can contribute to lower extremity injuries and functional limitations. Flexibility, one of the fundamental components of physical fitness, can be influenced by multiple factors including age, sex, joint structure, and muscle properties. Among various therapeutic approaches, static stretching and myofascial release are conventionally used to improve hamstring flexibility. More recently, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has gained popularity for its potential to increase range of motion and reduce muscle tension more rapidly than traditional methods.
The study aims to identify which intervention is most effective in increasing hamstring flexibility acutely and will provide evidence to guide clinical decision-making in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention. Additionally, this research intends to fill a gap in the literature, as no prior study has directly compared these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness.
This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to compare the acute and short-term effects of three different manual therapy interventions such as static stretching, self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller, and IASTM on individuals with clinically diagnosed hamstring tightness. A fourth group will serve as the control group and will receive no intervention.
A total of 36 healthy participants, aged 18 to 30 years, with hamstring tightness confirmed via the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test (hip flexion <65° without neurological findings), will be randomly assigned into one of four groups. Each group will consist of 9 participants. Interventions will be applied for approximately 5 minutes. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention, 12 hours post-intervention, and 24 hours post-intervention.
- Conditions
- Hamstring Shortness
- Being tested
- Stretching Group, Self-Myofascial Release, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Keywords
- mobilisation, IASTM, myofascial release, stretching, functional performance, strength, range of motion
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Stretching GroupOther
Manual static stretching applied to the hamstring muscle in five 30-second sets, with 30-second rest intervals. Total application time is 5 minutes.
Self-Myofascial ReleaseOther
Vibrating foam roller (38 Hz) used for self-myofascial release applied to hamstring muscles. Three sets of 30 seconds, with 30 seconds rest between sets.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue MobilizationOther
Application of IASTM using a concave-edged tool over the posterior thigh for 5 minutes to increase tissue mobility and flexibility.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Stretching Group | Active comparator | Participants receive manual static hamstring stretching for 5 minutes in repeated intervals. Receives: Other: Stretching Group |
| Myofascial Release Group | Active comparator | Participants will perform self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller applied to the hamstring muscles. Receives: Other: Self-Myofascial Release |
| Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group | Active comparator | The concave edge of an IASTM tool will be used to apply pressure along the posterior thigh. Receives: Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Hamstring Flexibility
Hamstring flexibility will be evaluated using the passive and active Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test. An angle <65° indicates tightness. Change in hip flexion range will be measured at each time point.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Change in Knee Extension Angle
With the hip maintained at 90° flexion in a supine position, the passive and active knee extension angle will be measured using a goniometer. This test assesses the passive extensibility of the hamstring muscles.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Secondary outcomes (5)
Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength
Maximal isometric hamstring muscle strength will be measured using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Maximal isometric quadriceps strength will be assessed to evaluate potential reciprocal inhibition effects.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Functional Performance - Vertical Jump Test
Vertical jump performance will be measured to assess functional changes in lower extremity power.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Functional Performance - Single-Leg Hop Test
Single-leg horizontal hop distance will be recorded to evaluate functional lower limb performance.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Subjective Perception - Global Rating of Change Scale
Participants will rate their perception of change in hamstring flexibility using a 15-point Global Rating of Change Scale.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Dec 2025
- Study start15 Jan 2025
- Primary completion15 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Hamstring ShortnessStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, BEYZA YAZGAN DAĞLI, Gazi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07260630
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BYDTUBITAK-2024/1
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 6 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of the Acute Effects of Stretching, Myofascial Release, and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Individuals With Hamstring Tightness: Randomized Double-Blind Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07260630
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BYDTUBITAK-2024/1
- Conditions
- Hamstring Shortness
- Keywords
- mobilisation, IASTM, myofascial release, stretching, functional performance, strength, range of motion
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
- Study start
- 15 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Dec 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.
Flexibility is one of the key components of health-related physical fitness and is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, joint structure, and muscle anatomy. Hamstring tightness can contribute to multiple lower extremity injuries. While traditional methods like stretching and myofascial release are commonly used to improve flexibility, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has recently gained popularity. However, no studies in the current literature have compared the acute effects of these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness. This study aims to compare the acute effects of stretching, myofascial release, and IASTM in individuals diagnosed with hamstring tightness (defined as <65° of hip flexion in the straight leg raise test without neurological findings).
Detailed description
Hamstring tightness is a common musculoskeletal problem that can contribute to lower extremity injuries and functional limitations. Flexibility, one of the fundamental components of physical fitness, can be influenced by multiple factors including age, sex, joint structure, and muscle properties. Among various therapeutic approaches, static stretching and myofascial release are conventionally used to improve hamstring flexibility. More recently, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has gained popularity for its potential to increase range of motion and reduce muscle tension more rapidly than traditional methods.
The study aims to identify which intervention is most effective in increasing hamstring flexibility acutely and will provide evidence to guide clinical decision-making in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention. Additionally, this research intends to fill a gap in the literature, as no prior study has directly compared these three methods in individuals with hamstring tightness.
This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to compare the acute and short-term effects of three different manual therapy interventions such as static stretching, self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller, and IASTM on individuals with clinically diagnosed hamstring tightness. A fourth group will serve as the control group and will receive no intervention.
A total of 36 healthy participants, aged 18 to 30 years, with hamstring tightness confirmed via the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test (hip flexion <65° without neurological findings), will be randomly assigned into one of four groups. Each group will consist of 9 participants. Interventions will be applied for approximately 5 minutes. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention, 12 hours post-intervention, and 24 hours post-intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Stretching Group | Active comparator | Other: Stretching GroupParticipants receive manual static hamstring stretching for 5 minutes in repeated intervals. |
| Myofascial Release Group | Active comparator | Other: Self-Myofascial ReleaseParticipants will perform self-myofascial release using a vibrating foam roller applied to the hamstring muscles. |
| Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group | Active comparator | Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue MobilizationThe concave edge of an IASTM tool will be used to apply pressure along the posterior thigh. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age between 18 and 30 years
- Presence of hamstring tightness (Straight Leg Raise angle < 65°)
- No diagnosed chronic diseases
- Voluntary participation and signed informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of lower extremity trauma or surgery
- Symptoms radiating to one or both legs due to hamstring, spinal, or sciatic nerve injury
- Ankle instability
- Neurological findings during the straight leg raise test
- Presence of hyperalgesia, hematoma, varicose veins, or skin infection in the lower limb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stretching GroupManual static stretching applied to the hamstring muscle in five 30-second sets, with 30-second rest intervals. Total application time is 5 minutes. | Other | Stretching Group |
| Self-Myofascial ReleaseVibrating foam roller (38 Hz) used for self-myofascial release applied to hamstring muscles. Three sets of 30 seconds, with 30 seconds rest between sets. | Other | Myofascial Release Group |
| Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue MobilizationApplication of IASTM using a concave-edged tool over the posterior thigh for 5 minutes to increase tissue mobility and flexibility. | Other | Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Hamstring Flexibility
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Hamstring flexibility will be evaluated using the passive and active Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test. An angle <65° indicates tightness. Change in hip flexion range will be measured at each time point.
Change in Knee Extension Angle
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
With the hip maintained at 90° flexion in a supine position, the passive and active knee extension angle will be measured using a goniometer. This test assesses the passive extensibility of the hamstring muscles.
5 secondary outcomes
Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Functional Performance - Vertical Jump Test
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Functional Performance - Single-Leg Hop Test
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Subjective Perception - Global Rating of Change Scale
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Hamstring Shortness
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Specific Versus General Hamstring Stretch on Clinical Outcomes in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
Hamstring Shortness, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Stretching Group, Self-Myofascial Release and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in people with Hamstring Shortness, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 5 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: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Dec 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Change in Hamstring Flexibility (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 3 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.