Key Takeaway
Tissue flossing improved shoulder internal rotation and horizontal adduction ROM in overhead athletes immediately after application
Summary
This study investigated whether elastic tissue flossing applied to the shoulder could improve range of motion in overhead athletes (baseball, volleyball, swimming) who commonly have shoulder mobility restrictions.
Methods
- Randomized controlled trial
- 30 overhead athletes with shoulder ROM deficits
- Intervention: Floss band wrapped around shoulder with active movement
- Control: Sham application (band without tension)
- Measured shoulder internal rotation, external rotation, horizontal adduction
- Assessed pre, immediately post, and 30 minutes post
Key Results
- Significant improvement in shoulder internal rotation
- Significant improvement in horizontal adduction
- No significant change in external rotation
- Effects persisted at 30-minute follow-up
- Greater improvements in those with larger initial deficits
Limitations
- Short follow-up (30 minutes maximum)
- Overhead athletes only (may not generalize)
- Sham control not truly blinded
- Small sample size
- Single session studied