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

University of Palermo

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy Participants; Healthy Subjects; Health; Healthy Young People; Myofascial Release; Healthy Young Adults; Stretching; Massage Effect

Treatments: Other: Neck self-myofascial release; Other: Neck static stretching

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07213011

RE 306/2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy male and female participants aged 18 or older.

Exclusion criteria

• orthopedic or neurological disorders;
• current and recent injuries or damage to the upper and lower limbs.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 3 patient groups

Static stretching

Experimental group

Description:

The neck static stretching protocol consisted of four sets of 45 seconds each, with 45-second rest intervals between sets, resulting in a total intervention time of three minutes. Participants remained seated in an upright position and executed the stretch by gently inclining the head in an anterolateral direction, forward and to the left, while using the contralateral (left) hand to assist the movement. This positioning was intended to specifically target and elongate the right posterolateral neck musculature.

Treatment:

Other: Neck static stretching

Self-myofascial release

Experimental group

Description:

For the neck self-myofascial release intervention, a Theraband® Roller Massager (The Hygenic Corporation, Akron, OH, USA) was utilized. This device features a rigid plastic core encased in high-density foam with a grooved surface, designed to facilitate both superficial and deeper tissue stimulation. The self-myofascial release protocol consisted of four sets, each comprising 45 rhythmic rolling movements performed at a standardized cadence of one roll per second, totaling three minutes of intervention time. The rolling tempo was regulated using a metronome application (Tempo Lite, version 5.0.8; Apple App Store). A 45-second rest interval was provided between sets. While seated, participants self-administered the rolling technique to the right posterolateral region of the neck, ensuring coverage of the largest possible surface area. To optimize tissue elongation, the head was maintained in a gently inclined anterolateral position, forward and to the left, throughout the intervention.

Treatment:

Other: Neck self-myofascial release

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

In the control condition (CC), participants remained seated quietly on a chair for a period of 6 minutes, matching the duration of the static stretching and self-myofascial release protocols, but without performing any active intervention, between the baseline and post assessments.