NCT07213011

Effects of Static Stretching and Self-myofascial Release on Local and Remote Range of Motion

Effects of Neck Static Stretching and Self-myofascial Release on Local and Remote Range of Motion: a Randomized Crossover Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Palermo · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Static stretching and self-myofascial release are commonly used techniques to improve joint mobility, primarily through mechanisms such as reduced tissue stiffness, increased stretch tolerance, and warming effects. Emerging evidence suggests that these interventions may also elicit remote effects, improving range of motion in body segments distant from the site of application. These non-local adaptations are thought to occur via mechanisms such as myofascial force transmission, systemic increases in stretch tolerance, or global neuromuscular responses. This phenomenon may have important clinical implications, particularly in scenarios where direct treatment of a target area is limited due to pain, injury, or immobilization. Therefore, this study explores the potential for local and remote effects of static stretching and self-myofascial release applied to the right posterolateral neck region. Specifically, this study investigates whether targeted cervical interventions can acutely improve not only cervical range of motion but also hip flexion range of motion on the ipsilateral (right) side. The proposed mechanisms include reductions in tissue stiffness, increased stretch tolerance and pressure pain threshold, and the transmission of mechanical forces along myofascial chains, particularly the "superficial back line," which anatomically connects the cervical region to the posterior lower limb. The primary aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of neck static stretching and neck self-myofascial release using a massage roller on both local (cervical) and remote (right hip) ROM.

Detailed description

All outcome data will be expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The reliability of baseline measurements (T0) will be assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for all variables. After verifying the distribution of the data, potential baseline differences among the three experimental conditions will be assessed (stretching, myofascial release, and control) through a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). To examine differences in the main outcomes, a repeated-measures ANOVA (3 conditions × 2 time points) will be conducted. When a significant condition × time interaction is detected, post hoc analyses with Scheffé corrections will be applied to determine specific between and within-group differences. Effect sizes will be reported as partial eta squared (η²p). Statistical significance will be set at p \< 0.05 for all analyses

Conditions

• Health
• Healthy Participants
• Healthy Subjects
• Healthy Young People
• Healthy Young Adults
• Stretching
• Myofascial Release
• Massage Effect

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Neck static stretching	The neck static stretching (SS) protocol consisted of four sets, each lasting 45 seconds, interspersed with 45-second recovery periods (total intervention time: 3 minutes). While seated on a chair, participants performed the stretch by gently inclining the head forward and to the left in an antero-lateral direction and assisting the movement with the contralateral (left) hand to specifically elongate the right posterolateral neck region.
OTHER	Neck self-myofascial release	For the self-myofascial release (SMR) intervention, a Theraband® roller massager was employed. The device consists of a rigid plastic core surrounded by dense foam, designed with a grooved surface to facilitate both superficial and deeper tissue stimulation. The SMR protocol comprised four sets (total intervention time: 3 minutes), during which participants executed 45 rhythmic rolling movements per set at a cadence of one roll per second. The tempo was standardized using a metronome application. For the SMR condition, the protocol included 45-second recovery intervals between sets. Participants, seated on a chair, were instructed to perform self-administered rolling on the right posterolateral neck region using the massage roller and to cover the largest possible area of the posterolateral neck region during the rolling, with the head gently inclined forward and to the left in an antero-lateral direction.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-14
• Primary completion: 2025-07-28
• Completion: 2025-07-28
• First posted: 2025-10-08
• Last updated: 2025-11-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Italy