Acute Effects of Upper Arm Tissue Flossing on Upper Extremity Performance and Power

Summary

This randomized sham-controlled trial investigates the acute effects of upper arm tissue flossing on upper extremity performance and power in healthy adults. Tissue flossing is a compression-based intervention that involves wrapping an elastic band around a limb for a short period while performing movement exercises.

Twenty-eight healthy participants are randomly assigned to either an active tissue flossing group or a sham flossing group. The intervention is applied to the dominant upper arm. Upper extremity performance is assessed before the intervention and at 2 and 15 minutes after the intervention using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) and the Seated Medicine Ball Throw (SMBT).

The study aims to determine whether a single session of upper arm tissue flossing can produce immediate improvements in upper extremity stability, functional performance, and explosive power compared with a sham intervention

Conditions

• Upper Extremity Performance
• Healthy Volunteers
• Tissue Flossing

Interventions

OTHER

Active Myofascial Compression

The floss band is applied to the participant's dominant upper arm by a licensed physiotherapist. Wrapping proceeds in a distal-to-proximal direction with approximately 50% overlap between layers, terminating just distal to the axilla. The band is stretched to a standardized elongation between 50% and 70% of its maximal length to generate moderate circumferential compression. Once wrapped, the participant performs a standardized 2-minute low-to-moderate intensity active movement sequence consisting of repeated elbow flexion/extension, shoulder flexion/extension, and forearm pronation/supination. The band is fully removed immediately following the 2-minute movement block

OTHER

Sham Myofascial Wrap

The floss band is applied to the participant's dominant upper arm by the same physiotherapist, maintaining identical therapist contact time, limb positioning, and overall session duration as the active group. However, the band is applied with less than 10% elongation, creating a loosely snug contact fit insufficient to generate meaningful circumferential compression or local vascular occlusion. Once wrapped, the participant performs the exact same 2-minute low-to-moderate intensity active movement sequence (elbow flexion/extension, shoulder flexion/extension, and forearm pronation/supination) before the band is fully removed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Harran University

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Cape Coast

  collaborator OTHER

• Bielefeld University

  collaborator OTHER

• Erzurum Technical University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Esedullah AKARAS, Dr. · Erzurum Technical University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-01

Primary Completion

2026-04-15

Completion

2026-05-03

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations