Effect of Floss Band on Anaerobic Exercise and Muscle Tissue Oxygenation

CONTEXT

Flossing is still a relatively new technique that has yielded varied results in the research literature; therefore, it requires further investigation. Previous research has shown that thigh tissue flossing might improve performance in countermovement jump, sprint time, maximum voluntary contraction, and rate of force development.

DESIGN

The present study aims to investigate the effect of the floss band on performance during the Wingate test (30-WAT), muscle oxygen saturation (SpO2), and total hemoglobin in vastus lateralis.

METHODS

Twenty-two students of physical education and sport (11 men and 11 women) were randomly selected to complete either the Wingate test with the application of a floss band in warm-up or the Wingate test without the use of a floss band, followed by the alternative 24 hours apart.

RESULTS

Throughout the testing, the floss band did not affect performance values during the Wingate test (relative peak power, relative average power, and fatigue index). However, there was a medium to large effect difference during 1 minute prior to 30-WAT (PRE), during the 30-WAT, and 10-minute recovery (REC) in values of SpO2 and total hemoglobin. Use of floss band displayed a higher SpO2 during PRE, 30-WAT, and REC by ∼13.55%, d < 2; ∼19.06%, d = 0.89; and ∼8.55%, d = 0.59, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings indicate that the application of thigh flossing during warm-up has no effect on 30-WAT performance; however, SpO2 was significantly increased in all stages of testing. This could lead to potential improvement in repeated anaerobic exercise due to increased blood flow. Increased muscle oxygen saturation can also lead to improved tissue healing as oxygen supply is essential for tissue repair, wound healing, and pain management.

The Acute Effect of Tissue Flossing on Pain, Function, and Perception of Movement: A Pilot Study

Tissue flossing (TF) is a novel device that has been shown to cause peripheral compression and concurrent change in joint range of motion, perception of mobility and muscular performance. However, the effect of tissue flossing on pain, perception of mobility and function at the elbow joint has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the acute effect of TF on pain and upper extremity functional performance in subjects with musculoskeletal-related complaints of pain surrounding the elbow joint. We utilized a randomized crossover design. Nine resistance trained participants (8 men/1 woman) mean age 35.6 ± 10.7 took part in this study. We measured the following outcome measures; Pain Visual Analog Scale, Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire II, pain-pressure threshold and hand grip dynamometry (HHD) pre and post and a Likert scale for movement ability questionnaire, posttest only, following a TF and placebo condition for each participant. TF resulted in significant improvement in all test measures, except HHD, pre to post (p ≤ 0.05). All pre to post changes were associated with large effect sizes for TF compared to the placebo condition applied to the elbow improves pain quality and intensity, perception of mobility and pain-pressure threshold in resistance trained individuals with a history of musculoskeletal pain for greater than 1 month. The results of this pilot study suggest that TF may function as an adjunct to treatment in the management of musculoskeletal pathologies at the elbow joint.

Effectiveness of Warm-Up Exercises with Tissue Flossing in Increasing Muscle Strength

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.

Hemodynamic Responses to Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction Using a Practical Method Versus a Traditional Cuff-Inflation System

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.