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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2453-8631
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization in healthy adults acutely changes the tissue stiffness

Ryoichi Ema 
1   Faculty of Sport Science, Shizuoka Sangyo University, Iwata, Japan
,
Yuta Iino
2   College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
,
Yuta Nomura
3   Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN497030)
,
Tomoki Furusawa
3   Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN497030)
,
Kosuke Hirata
4   Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN13121)
,
Yasuhide Yoshitake
5   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN13056)
,
Ryota Akagi 
2   College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Nakatomi Foundation
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Abstract

This study clarified whether instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) on the plantar surface changes abductor hallucis and plantar fascia stiffness at rest and medial longitudinal arch height under low- and high-loading conditions. IASTM was performed to one foot of the twenty-eight young men (IASTM condition), and the other foot of them was assigned to the control condition. Using ultrasonography, the resting shear wave propagation velocity of the abductor hallucis and plantar fascia and navicular height in a seated posture were determined. The foot contact area during quiet standing was measured using a foot-scan system. The shear wave propagation velocity of the plantar fascia significantly decreased by 10.8% in the IASTM condition but did not change significantly in the control condition. The magnitude of change in the shear wave propagation velocity of the plantar fascia was negatively correlated (r=− 0.660) with the shear wave propagation velocity of the plantar fascia before IASTM. The interaction of time and condition was not significant for the shear wave propagation velocity of the abductor hallucis, navicular height, or foot contact area. The current study revealed that IASTM on the plantar surface affected tissue stiffness but did not change the structure of the foot.

Keywords

Abductor hallucis - Foot contact area - Navicular height - Plantar fascia - Shear wave propagation velocity


Publication History

Received: 24 April 2024

Accepted after revision: 23 October 2024

Article published online:
20 November 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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