View clinical trials related to Flexibility.
Filter by:Treatment or training of fascial tissues has moved into the focus of medical research in the last decade. In this context, the use of foam rollers or roller massagers for self-myofascial-release (SMR) techniques has become increasingly popular in health and fitness professionals. The primary objective of these techniques is to mimic manual massage or myofascial-release therapy with a self-usable tool. Recent studies suggest that SMR improves, inter alia, range of motion (ROM) without a decrease in neuromuscular performance (Cheatham et al. 2015). Concurrent effects on the muscle and especially the surrounding connective tissue network have been proposed as underlying mechanisms for these observed changes in ROM after SMR. Several authors assume a positive effect of SMR on sliding properties of different independent fascial layers. Also, changes in passive tissue stiffness is suggested. Passive stiffness is thereby characterized by passive resistance in the tissues' (muscles') functional direction, the passive resistive torque (PRT). In conclusion, for many of the proclaimed effects of SMR, such as improvements of sliding of fascial layers or decreases of passive stiffness, there is a lack of evidence in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate acute effects of SMR on the viscoelastic properties of the muscles on the anterior thigh and the corresponding fascia. In a cross over design, 16 subjects receive all of the following interventions after a familiarization session: a) 2x60 seconds of SMR at the anterior thigh, b) 2x60 seconds of static stretching at the anterior thigh, c) no intervention in a balanced permutated randomization sequence. Before and directly after each intervention, outcome parameters are collected. Passive Resistive Torque is evaluated using a computerized isokinetic dynamometer. In passive mode, the lower leg is moved from full knee extension (0°) to the point of maximal knee flexion with a velocity of 5°/s. Torque and angle are recorded at 100 Hertz (Hz). Sliding of fascial layers is quantified with a frame-by-frame cross correlation algorithm of high-resolution ultrasound images (Dilley et al. 2001). First stretch sensation is quantified using the passive mode in the isokinetic dynamometer. Maximal ROM is detected using a an ultrasonographic movement analysis system in a prone position.
This study investigates the influence of two different stretching techniques on the flexibility of the muscles that are in the posterior thigh, after a training period. The study will last for six weeks where the volunteers need to go to the lab twice for evaluation, and for four weeks, three times a week for the application of stretching training. Evaluation before and after the training period consists of applying hip and knee flexibility tests, evaluation of strength, muscle activation and muscle architecture. The Flexibility tests are: (1) Straight Leg Raise Flexibility Test (SLR), where the volunteer will be positioned supine on a stretcher. Then the appraiser will perform hip flexion keeping the knee extended and relaxed foot to the angle at which the person refer discomfort while the contralateral limb remain firmly leaning on the table; (2) Modified Passive knee extension (TEJ), where the volunteer will be positioned supine on a stretcher. The assessor shall determine the hip member to be rated at 90º and perform knee extension to the angle at which the person refer discomfort. The contralateral limb remain firmly leaning on the table. For the evaluation of muscle strength the volunteer had sat on equipment, makes five repetitions of bending and straightening the knee to familiarize yourself with the equipment and after will make other five replicates doing maximum strength. To evaluate the electrical activity will be the depilation of the skin with a razor and cleaning with an alcohol swab after adhesive electrodes will be placed for collection of muscle activity, the electrodes do not emit shocks. The muscle architecture will be assessed via a ultrasound , to its use the use of a water soluble gel to improve the machine's skin contact is required. For the intervention, the stretching will be held in both legs, where the volunteer will remain lying on a stretcher with fixed trunk with velcro straps and the researcher will carry out the elongation raising the leg drawn to the moment of discomfort the volunteer will refer and will remain for 30 seconds (s) in case he belongs to passive static stretching group, if the stretching group of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, will be in the same position, but before the 30s of stretching, he you will have to push against during 6s to lower leg against the researcher. If he belongs to the control group, have only two trips to the laboratory for testing, will make an initial assessment and after four weeks will return to perform the tests again, in the period between assessments will not need to go to the lab because it does not make intervention elongation. It is possible that there discomfort during flexibility testing, strength testing and stretching training. After the tests can still experience muscle pain should disappear within 48 hours. The risks of research are minimal, not exceeding those of a strength training session and stretching.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of three Exercise Movement Techniques Global Postural Reeducation(RPG), Pilates method and Segmented Dynamic Exercises (SDE) regarding muscular strength and endurance of the trunk, spine mobility and flexibility of the posterior muscle chain.
Background: Nowadays, a commonly used sport that helps enhancing physical fitness components, including flexibility, is Capoeira. This modality is defined as an athletic sport composed by an individual attack and defensive system, which was originally created in colonial Brazil. Capoeira is characterized by its main movement, the "ginga", and by other several dodging, unbalancing, traumatizing and acrobatic movements. The literature empirically discusses that Capoeira contributes in general physical fitness by modulating several variables of human movement. Among these variables it is possible to highlight the influence of Capoeira in the amplitude of movement of the practitioner's joints. However, no study with a control group has investigated the alterations in flexibility of beginners using an experimental protocol based exclusively in basic techniques of Capoeira, without applying any usual stretching exercises that are commonly used, independently of the specificity of the sport. Objective: To analyze the effects of eight weeks of basic training in Capoeira on the flexibility of beginners in the sport. Methods: Twenty-one individuals, divided in two groups [Capoeira, n=13; 26.1±7.2 years; 22.7±2.7 kg.m2(-1) and Control, n=8; 27.1±0.5 years; 24.3±3.3 kg.m2(-1)] participated in the study. The Capoeira group performed eight weeks of basic training (two sessions per week lasting 60 minutes each). The experimental protocol used was exclusively based in basic techniques of a programmed Capoeira training system. Before and after the intervention measurements were performed aiming to analyze: trunk flexion flexibility, through a sit-and-reach test using a Wells' Bench (WBtf); and passive tension (PThf) and maximum amplitude of hip flexion (MAhf) through goniometry. The hypothesis of this study is that the group Capoeira (beginners) will increase the linear and angular flexibility after eight weeks of basic training in the sport.