The Effect of Tissue Flossing on Ankle Range of Motion, Jump, and Sprint Performance in Elite Rugby Union Athletes

Abstract

Context: Given the relatively novel technique of tissue flossing is currently lacking in the research literature despite some positive findings in preliminary studies, the modality clearly requires further research. Current evidence suggests that band flossing results in performance improvements and may also be an effective method in injury prevention. Objective: Previous research has shown that tissue flossing may result in increased ankle range of motion, jump, and sprinting performance in recreational athletes. The present study aims to extend on this research, within an elite athlete sample. Design: Counterbalanced, cross-over design with experimental and control trials, separated by 1 week. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Fourteen professional male rugby union athletes (mean [SD]: age 23.9 [2.7] y). Intervention: Application of a floss band to both ankles (FLOSS) for 2 minutes or without flossing of the ankle joints (CON) on 2 separate occasions. Main Outcome Measures: A weight-bearing lunge test, a countermovement jump test, and a 20-m sprint test at pre and at 5 and 30 minutes post application of the floss band or control. Results: There were no statistically significant interactions between treatment (FLOSS/CON) and time for any of the measured variables (P > .05). Effect size analysis revealed small benefits for FLOSS in comparison with CON for countermovement performance 5 minutes post (d = 0.28) and for 10-m (d = −0.45) and 15-m (d = −0.24) sprint time 30 minutes post. Conclusion: Findings from the current study suggest minimal benefits of tissue flossing when applied to the ankle joint in elite athletes for up to 30 minutes following their application.

Tissue flossing of the thigh increases isometric strength acutely but has no effects on flexibility or jump height

“…However, to date, it is not clear whether compression pressure is related to changes in muscle performance parameters (e.g. CMJ), as already suggested by Mills et al (2020).…”

Effects of Tissue Flossing on the Healthy and Impaired Musculoskeletal System: A Scoping Review

“…Out of these 11 measures, seven were significantly increased. By considering just the main measure of each study on ankle flossing (weight bearing lunge test in Driller and Overmayer, 2017;Mills et al, 2019; dorsiflexion range of motion in Vogrin et al, 2021), the mean change was a very large increase in the dorsiflexion range of motion of 11.17% (95% CI, 4.25 to 18.63%). With regard to calf flossing, nine measures from four studies are presented in Table 2.…”

Effect of Blood Circulation in the Upper Limb after Flossing Strategy

“…Driller and Overmayer [15,16] examined the effect of flossing on the range of motion of the ankle joint. Mills et al [17] investigated the effect of flossing on the ankle joint in rugby players. Prill [10] focused on reducing the effort-induced muscle pain (delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)) by flossing.…”

“…Prill [10] focused on reducing the effort-induced muscle pain (delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)) by flossing. Similarly, a number of new studies evaluated the effect of flossing on the range of motion [17][18][19][20].…”