The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) on the acute effects of physical fitness parameters in healthy male individuals. 24 volunteers are included in this study who have been divided into two groups such that one part is an IASTM and the other part is a control group. The physical activity levels of the individuals participating in the study were determined using the short form of the International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (IPAQ). Individuals; their aerobic capacity is the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT), muscle strength values are digital dynamometer, muscle flexibility values are sit-reach and quadriceps flexibility test, fatigue values are Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Modified Borg Scale, agility assessment is T-Test, and balance assessment is evaluated with a stabilometer device.

METHOD

Participants

This study was planned as a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 24 individuals, 12 in the IASTM group and 12 in the control group were included in the study. We calculated (G*Power Version 3.1.9.4, Franz Faul, Universitat Kiel, Düsseldorf, Germany) a power of 95% with 0.05 significance, a difference to be detected of 6.88 cm, and a standard deviation of 5.22 cm in hamstring flexibility, generating a sample of 12 individuals per group (Figure 1).

Volunteer individuals aged between 18 and 25 years, who could cooperate with the tests and who did not have any diagnosed orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary, vestibular, and neurological diseases were included in the study. Those who had an allergic reaction during the IASTM application and those who had an acute infection in the last 15 days were excluded. The data were collected from March 2022 to July 2022.

Randomization This study, which was conducted to examine the acute effect of IASTM on physical fitness parameters, was planned as a randomized controlled parallel trial. The sealed envelope method was used for randomization. The procedure was designed by a researcher who was not involved in other aspects of the protocol. All participants were recruited into groups using pre-numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes.

Materials

First, sociodemographic information of all individuals included in the study was obtained, and all questionnaires were conducted.

Hamstring flexibility measurements of the individuals were performed with a sit-and-reach test using a flexibility bench. Quadriceps flexibility was assessed by placing both hips in a neutral position while the subject lay in the prone position.

The Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) was performed to assess the exercise capacity of individuals. The test is set to 10 m between two lines for testing. The individual walks a distance of 10 m around the trip and runs as necessary. At the end of the test, the distance traveled by the individual is recorded. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation (Cosmed Spiropalm 6MWT, Milan, Italy), respiratory rate, dyspnea, and fatigue level using the modified Borg Scale were evaluated before and after the ISWT.

Muscle strength was determined by measuring quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength using a digital dynamometer (Jtech Commander Muscle Tester, UT, USA). The mean values of the right and left side measurements were obtained. Then, the average of the measurements of the right and left sides were recorded in Newton (N) using each side.

Agility measurements of the cases were made with T-Test. To apply the T-Test, 4 cones were arranged according to the test and the test was performed. Participants had three repetitions and the best time was recorded.

A stabilometer device (HUR Smartbalance 2031, Kokkola, Finland) used in the study is a balance mechanism that can move forward-backward, right-left, and 3D in the transverse plane. The device's reliability has been demonstrated in different studies.

Fatigue levels of individuals were evaluated using the FSS. Our study used the Turkish version of the FSS.

The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess participants' physical activity levels. Severe, moderate-severe, and walking include seven questions that question the time elapsed while doing these, and sitting time is considered a separate question.

Intervention

In this study, the primary outcome measurements were the quadriceps and hamstring flexibility, and the secondary outcome measurements were exercise capacity, muscle strength, agility, balance, and fatigue. The individuals included in the study were divided into two groups: IASTM and control groups. All measurements were performed on individuals in two groups. Then, in the IASTM group, IASTM was applied to the quadriceps and hamstring muscles of both extremities for five minutes each, for a total of 20 minutes. Immediately afterward, the measurements taken before the intervention were repeated. The control group waited for 30 minutes after the initial measurements and all measurements were repeated.

Statistical analyses

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics 25.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics were calculated. The normality of the data was checked using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. As appropriate, two independent groups of numerical variables were analyzed using Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test. The chi-square test was used for categorical comparisons. Baseline values were compared using Student's t-test. A two-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate time and group-time interaction. Repeated measures of variance were analyzed in the data in each session. Within-group changes over time were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The descriptive level of significance was set at p<0.05.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age range between 18-25 years,
2. Individuals who volunteered to participate in the study were included.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Those with diagnosed cardiopulmonary, neurological, orthopedic, psychiatric, skin disease and vestibular diseases,
2. Those who have had an acute infection in the last fifteen days
3. Individuals who showed and/or were at risk of allergic reactions during ADYDM application were not included in the study.