Examining acute impacts of soft tissue mobilization, percussion massage, and dynamic stretching on hamstring tightness

BACKGROUND: Hamstring muscle tightness is a factor that causes sports injuries. To investigate the instantaneous effects of Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT), Dynamic Stretching (DS) exercises, and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) on jumping, agility, and flexibility parameters. METHODS: Included 45 young adults with hamstring muscle tightness. The DS exercises, PMT, and IASTM were applied to both hamstrings. Before and after the intervention, the participants were evaluated with the Sit and Reach Test (S&R), Horizontal Jumping (HJ), Y Balance Test (YBT), and Illinois Test. DS exercises were performed with 10 repetitions, waiting for 2 seconds at the end of the movement. PMT, and IASTM were applied along the origo insertion line both hamstrings for 5 minutes. RESULTS: S&R and Illinois tests both showed significant changes between the pre-and post-treatment values of the PMT group (P<0.05). Negative effects on balance were observed in Y Balance anterior right leg (P<0.05). HJ and other Y Balance characteristics did not change. (P>0.05). Before and after the application of the IASTM group, there was no difference in the values of the Y Balance posteromedial left leg, Y Balance anterior left leg, Illinois, and S&R (P>0.05). HJ and other Y Balance parameters showed statistically significant improvements (P<0.05). All metrics in the pre-and post-treatment values of the DS group showed significant differences (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that individuals include DS exercises and IASTM in their warm-up protocols as they positively impact athletic performance.