Search Results (9)

Introduction: Recurrent ankle sprains can lead to chronic ankle instability. The flossing technique aims to modify the function and characteristics of fascial tissue. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of flossing and sliding techniques in improving subjects with previous ankle sprains. Methods: Randomized, double-blind clinical study with a follow-up period. Twenty-six subjects were assigned to two study groups: experimental (flossing technique and passive manual therapy techniques) and placebo control group (flossing technique without compression and manual therapy techniques without sliding). The intervention lasted three weeks, with two sessions per week. The study variables were dorsiflexion under load (Leg Motion^®), ankle mobility under unloaded conditions (goniometer), pressure pain threshold (algometer), and stability (Rs Scan^® pressure platform). Three measurements were taken: pre-treatment (T0), post-treatment (T1), and after 3 weeks of follow-up (T2). Results: There were significant intergroup differences in dorsiflexion under load (F = 4.90; p = 0.02). Range of motion in plantar flexion without load (F = 3.78; p = 0.04), in the ellipse area (F = 4.72; p = 0.01), left stability (F = 3.74; p = 0.03), and right stability (F = 3.73; p = 0.03) without visual support. Conclusions: A physiotherapy protocol using flossing and manual sliding therapy can increase loaded dorsal flexion in young adults with previous ankle sprains. This intervention can also improve ankle plantar flexion under unloaded conditions. The area of the ellipse without visual support can improve in young adults with a history of ankle sprains following a program of flossing and manual therapy. Full article

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of tissue flossing on athletic performance measures. A secondary aim was to explore the efficacy of tissue flossing when applied to a joint or soft tissue (i.e., muscle belly) on athletic performance measures. An article search was completed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCO, SCOPUS, and OneSearch electronic databases up to May 2024. Studies were included if they used tissue flossing as a primary intervention among healthy participants and used one or more athletic performance measures as an outcome. Exclusion criteria included studies that did not investigate tissue flossing on athletic performance measures among healthy participants, studies that used tissue flossing for blood flow restriction training, case studies, narrative reviews, dissertations, conference proceedings, and papers written in a language other than English. Eighteen articles and 559 total participants were included in the final analysis. Study quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Downs and Black Checklist and the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. The major findings suggest that a single tissue flossing treatment ranging from 2 to 10 min that includes active single joint or active closed chain exercises may enhance post-intervention muscle strength, jump performance, and balance up to 45 to 60 min post-intervention. Tissue flossing to a joint or soft tissue both produced mixed results among studies, a definitive answer on which technique is superior cannot be determined at this time. Further direct comparison studies are needed for these two techniques. Full article

Tissue flossing is an increasingly popular method in physiotherapy and sports. There is a belief that tissue flossing can improve range of motion and muscle strength, shorten muscle recovery time, and reduce the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of tissue flossing for immediately improving muscle strength in recreational athletes when it is performed during warm-up. All participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 36) or a control group (n = 34) using a random number generator. The experimental group (n = 36) performed an intervention comprising exercises with muscle tissue flossing and exercises without flossing. The control group (n = 30) performed the same protocol without a floss band. Muscle strength was measured for knee flexion end extension at three speeds (60, 120, and 180 °/s) 3 times. Analysed parameters include peak torque, work, and power related to body weight, flexors–extensors ratio, and time to peak torque. There were no significant changes in the muscle strength parameters from before to after the warm-up in either group (p > 0.05). Significantly lower values of peak torque, work, and power were observed in the experimental group during the warm-up with the floss band applied to muscles (p < 0.05). No clinically significant changes in time to peak torque or flexors–extensors ratio were observed. A single application of flossing does not improve muscle strength or power and can even reduce individuals’ maximum muscle strength capabilities. Full article

The aim of this study was to examine the potential differences in acute hemodynamic responses and muscular performance outcomes following resistance exercise between traditional blood flow restriction (TRA_BFR) and a novel band tissue flossing method (BTF_BFR). METHODS: Fifteen healthy young adults (23.27 ± 2.69 years) visited the lab for three sessions (≥72 h apart). Each session’s exercise consisted of three sets of 20 maximum-effort seated leg extensions and flexions with one of three conditions: control (CON), TRA_BFR (50% limb occlusion pressure (LOP)), or BTF_BFR. During TRA_BFR and BTF_BFR sessions, occlusion was applied immediately prior to exercise and removed immediately after. Heart rate was collected prior to exercise, after onset of occlusion, immediately after exercise, and one-minute after removal of occlusion. Ultrasonography was performed prior to, and at least 30 s after, occlusion. RESULTS: BTF_BFR caused greater reductions in arterial distance (14.28%, p = 0.010) and arterial area (28.43%, p = 0.020) than TRA_BFR. BTF_BFR was able to significantly reduce arterial flow below pre-occlusion values, while TRA_BFR did not. Both conditions caused significant elevations in heart rate following occlusion (TRA_BFR: +4.67 bpm, p = 0.046 and BTF_BFR: +6.07 bpm, p = 0.034), immediately post-exercise (TRA_BFR: +56.93 bpm, p < 0.001 and BTF_BFR: +52.79 bpm, p < 0.001) and one-minute post-exercise (TRA_BFR: +15.71, p = 0.003 and BTF_BFR: +14.57, p < 0.001). Only BTF_BFR caused significant reductions in performance as measured by average power per repetition. CONCLUSIONS: BTF_BFR causes a more exaggerated decrease in arterial blood flow as well as muscular power when compared to traditional TRA_BFR at 50% of LOP. Full article

Background and Objectives: The effect of the blood flow restriction technique (BFR) on delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS) symptoms remains unclear. Since there is no consensus in the literature, the aim of the present study is to systematically identify and appraise the available evidence on the effects of the BFR technique on DOMS, in healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Computerized literature search in the databases Pubmed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Cochrane and PEDro to identify randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of blood flow restriction on delayed onset muscular soreness symptoms. Results: Eight trials met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review, presenting the results of 118 participants, with a mean methodological rating of 6/10 on the PEDro scale. Conclusions: So far, there is not enough evidence to confirm or refute the influence of BFR on DOMS, and more studies with a good methodological basis are needed, in larger samples, to establish protocols and parameters of exercise and intervention. Data analysis suggests a tendency toward the proinflammatory effect of BFR during high restrictive pressures combined with eccentric exercises, while postconditioning BFR seems to have a protective effect on DOMS. Prospero ID record: 345457, title registration: “Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Technique on the Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review”. Full article

Periodontal disease is a common worldwide oral inflammation/infection affecting tissues that surround and support teeth. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, extent and severity of periodontal diseases and its risk factors, according to the most recent periodontal classification, in an adult population of Northern Portugal. This observational study collected data from clinical records of patients who attended the University Clinic of Gandra between April 2021 and April 2022. Of a total of 941 patients included, 457 (48.6%) had periodontitis, 253 (26.9%) had gingivitis and the remaining 231 (24.5%) were healthy patients. The prevalence of stage III severe periodontitis was 51.2%, more prevalent in males, and in the age group of 61–70 years. Gingivitis was more prevalent in females, and in the age group of 31–40 years; in both diseases, the most prevalent extension was the generalized one. Using a binary logistic regression, we observe a significant relation of the risk of periodontitis with age (p = 0.019; OR 1.033; 95% CI 1.005–1.062), tooth brushing (p = 0.002; OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.105–0.599) and dental flossing (p = 0.015; OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.09–0.768). This study revealed a high prevalence of periodontitis. Increased age, lack of tooth brushing and flossing were identified as potential risk factors for periodontitis in the investigated Portuguese population. Full article

Flexibility, specifically that in the amplitude of sagittal-plane range of motion (ROM), can improve jump landing patterns and reduce the potential for sports injury. The use of floss bands (FLOSS) reportedly increases joint range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder, ankle, and elbow joints. However, little research on the effectiveness of FLOSS on the knee joint has been conducted. This study investigated the effects of FLOSS on knee ROM, static balance, single-leg-hop distance, and landing stabilization performance in women. This study had a crossover design. Twenty active female college students without musculoskeletal disorders were randomly assigned to receive a FLOSS intervention or elastic bandage (ELA) control on their dominant knees. The participants underwent FLOSS and ELA activities on two occasions with 48 h of rest between both sets of activities. The outcomes were flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, how long one could maintain a single-leg stance (with and without eyes closed), distance on a single-leg triple hop, and score on the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS); these outcomes were evaluated at preintervention and postintervention (immediately following band removal and 20 min later). After the FLOSS intervention, the participants’ hamstring flexibility improved significantly (immediately after: p = 0.001; 20 min later: p = 0.002), but their quadricep flexibility did not. In addition, FLOSS use did not result in worse single-leg stance timing, single-leg triple-hop distance, or landing stabilization performance relative to ELA use. Compared with the ELA control, the FLOSS intervention yielded significantly better LESS at 20 min postintervention (p = 0.032), suggesting that tissue flossing can improve landing stability. In conclusion, the application of FLOSS to the knee improves hamstring flexibility without impeding static balance, and improves single-leg hop distance and landing stabilization performance in women for up to 20 min. Our findings elucidate the effects of tissue flossing on the knee joint and may serve as a reference for physiotherapists or athletic professionals in athletic practice settings. Full article

The floss band (FB) has been correlated with increases in the joint range of motion (ROM). However, the literature on FB effectiveness in knee joint ROM and athletic performance remains sparse. This study investigated the effects of FB on the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, knee joint proprioception, muscle force output, and dynamic balance in men. Thirty recreationally active men without musculoskeletal disorders were randomized to receive FB (Lime Green; Sanctband flossband) and elastic bandage (EB) intervention on the dominant knee joint. Participants received two interventions on two occasions with 2 days of rest between interventions. The primary outcome was the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings; the secondary outcomes were knee proprioception (joint reposition angle error), knee muscle force output, and dynamic balance. Preintervention and postintervention (immediately following band removal and 20 min later) measurements were obtained. After FB intervention, hamstring flexibility (immediately: p < 0.001; 20 min later: p < 0.001) and quadriceps flexibility (immediately: p < 0.001; 20 min later: p < 0.001), quadriceps muscle force output (immediately: p = 0.007; 20 min later: p < 0.001), and dynamic balance (both immediately and 20 min later, p < 0.001) were significantly improved. Compared with EB intervention, FB intervention significantly improved knee extension ROM (immediately and 20 min later, both p < 0.001), knee flexion ROM (immediately, p = 0.01; 20 min later, p = 0.03), hamstrings muscle force output (20 min later, p = 0.022) and dynamic balance (immediately, p = 0.016; 20 min later, p = 0.004). Regarding proprioception, no significant difference among time points and conditions was observed. In conclusion, FB intervention can significantly improve the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, quadriceps muscle force output, and dynamic balance without impeding knee proprioception. Physiotherapists or athletic professionals may consider FB intervention as a potential tool as a warmup to enhance the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, quadriceps muscle force output, and dynamic balance in young adults. Full article

Optimisation of plaque control is essential for the success of non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy. This cannot be achieved with brushing alone; hence, there is a need for adjunctive interdental cleaning aids. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of different interdental cleaning aids and review the literature for consensus on their effectiveness. A literature search of articles in English, up to December 2018, was conducted in Pubmed. High-quality flossing is difficult to achieve, and ineffective routine use of floss may not confer significant benefits over brushing alone. Interdental brushes are more effective than brushing as a monotherapy. They are at least as good if not superior to floss in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Although they are effective for patients regardless of their periodontal status (healthy or active), they are especially indicated in periodontal patients where widened embrasures are common. Added benefits include ease of use, patient acceptance, and recontouring of interdental tissues. Rubberpiks do not demonstrate inferiority to conventional interdental brushes. Wooden interdental aids appear to offer no significant advantage over brushing with respect to plaque removal; they may, however, reduce gingival bleeding. Oral irrigators are a promising tool for reducing gingival inflammation, despite minimal changes to plaque levels. For cleaning around dental implants, oral irrigators and interdental brushes are preferred over floss. Full article