MedTrace Logo

Differences in Elbow Stiffness Comparing Massage to Stretching in Tennis Players

NCT07060521 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 32

Last updated 2025-07-11

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background and Purpose: Shear wave elastography (SWE) provides quantifiable and specific data regarding muscle and tendon stiffness. Increased muscle and tendon stiffness plays a role in the development of musculoskeletal pathologies. A number of interventions have been proposed to temporarily reduce muscle/tendon stiffness including soft tissue mobilization (massage) and stretching.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of soft tissue mobilization versus stretching on tissue stiffness in a group of competitive tennis players.

Participants: Healthy competitive tennis players who meet the inclusion criteria and consent to participate will be assessed and treated at the University of Dayton Department of Physical Therapy.

Methods: All participants will be examined with shear wave elastography to determine the stiffness of the dominant common extensor tendon with the participant in sitting, arm supported and relaxed. A second stiffness measure will be taken 5 minutes after the first measure to determine intra-rater reliability. Participants will be divided into 1 of 2 treatment groups (soft tissue massage or passive stretching) for approximately 5 minutes. Shear wave stiffness measures will be taken immediately after intervention for both groups. Shear wave elastography will be measured one final time following a 15-minute rest period after the intervention

Conditions

  • Tendon Stiffness
  • Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

Interventions

OTHER

soft tissue mobilization

massage

OTHER

Self Stretching

self stretching

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Dayton

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-04-01
Primary Completion
2025-05-25
Completion
2025-05-25

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07060521 on ClinicalTrials.gov