Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41452474›Full record

Trial reportEuropean journal of applied physiology2026

Acute effects of flossing band application on hamstring muscle mechanical properties and stretch tolerance: a randomized controlled crossover trial.

Gakuto Nakao, Ginji Nara, Yu Kondo, Risa Adachi, Koki Ishiyama, Keita Sekiguchi, Junpei Sawano, Shota Hirayama, Kotoka Kida, Masatoshi Nakamura and 3 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in European journal of applied physiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Gakuto NakaoProfessional Post-secondary Course (Physical Therapist), Sapporo Medical Technology, Welfare and Dentistry Professional Training College of Nishino Gakuen School Foundation, Sapporo, Japan. gakunn.24@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3124-2144
Ginji NaraGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Yu KondoDepartment of Rehabilitation, Sapporo Maruyama Orthopedic Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
Risa AdachiGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Koki IshiyamaGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Keita SekiguchiGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Junpei SawanoGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Shota HirayamaGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Kotoka KidaGraduate School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
Masatoshi NakamuraDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nishi Kyushu University, Saga, Japan.
Kosuke TakeuchiDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
Masaki KatayoseDepartment of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, South-1, West-17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Hokkaido, Japan.
Keigo TaniguchiDepartment of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University, South-1, West-17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Hokkaido, Japan.

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 25K20965
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeFlossing bands have been reported to improve hamstring flexibility; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated whether increases in range of motion (ROM) result from changes in muscle mechanical properties, stretch tolerance, or both.

methodsSixteen healthy adult males (27.0 ± 2.9 years) participated in a randomized crossover trial with two conditions: a flossing condition (FLOSS), in which a compression elastic band was wrapped around the thigh and participants performed four passive twisting-like movements followed by two sets of 20 active knee extension stretches; and a sham condition (SHAM) using an ice wrap with the same stretching protocol. Maximal passive knee extension ROM, passive knee flexion torque during passive joint movement, and the shear modulus of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh), semitendinosus (ST), and semimembranosus (SM) were measured before (Pre) and after the intervention (Post).

resultsResults revealed that knee extension ROM increased significantly in both conditions, but was greater in FLOSS (+ 10.5%) than SHAM (+ 2.9%, P < 0.05). Peak passive flexion torque increased significantly only in FLOSS (+ 11.1%, P < 0.05), indicating enhanced stretch tolerance. Shear modulus significantly decreased in the BFlh (− 8.7%) and SM (− 7.9%) after FLOSS, with post-intervention BFlh values lower than SHAM (P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in the ST in either FLOSS or SHAM.

conclusionThese findings demonstrate that flossing acutely increases knee extension ROM through a combination of decreased passive mechanical properties in specific hamstring muscles and enhanced stretch tolerance. Flossing may serve as a strategy to improve flexibility and aid hamstring injury prevention.

Indexed as

Compression BandagesHamstring MusclesRange of Motion, ArticularAdultCross-Over StudiesHumansKnee JointMaleMuscle Stretching ExercisesHamstring flexibilityMechanical propertiesPassive muscle stiffnessShear wave elastographyStretch tolerance

Identifiers

PMID41452474

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.