HealthyNCT07025746
Acute Effects of Gastrocnemius Myofascial Release on Cervical Flexion and Extension Range of Motion in Healthy Adults
A study testing Dynamic foam rolling in people with Healthy, run by University Fernando Pessoa at 1 site in Portugal.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to verify the immediate effects of gastrocnemius myofascial release on the active cervical flexion and extension range of motion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy
- What is being tested?
- Dynamic foam rolling
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePortugal
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2025to 30 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy participants of both sexes aged 18-40 years.
Who cannot join
- Deformities in the lower quadrant region of the body;
- Complaints in this region in the last 6 months;
- Surgical procedures or musculoskeletal, cardiac, renal, metabolic, neurological and or oncological pathologies;
- Limb length discrepancy greater than 1.5 cm;
- Pregnant women;
- Ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or consumption of any type of narcotic drugs and participants who have drunk alcohol in the last 12 hours.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Gastrocnemius Myofascial Release on Cervical Flexion and Extension Range of Motion in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study is to verify the immediate effects of gastrocnemius myofascial release on the active cervical flexion and extension range of motion.
Read the detailed description
After completing the questionnaire, 91 healthy participants will be randomly divided into two groups: the Intervention Group (IG) (n=46) and the Control Group (CG) (n=45). In the first assessment (M0), the range of motion of cervical flexion and extension will be measured using a smartphone (Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Android) and the Clinometer application. The myofascial release technique (foam roller) will be applied to the gastrocnemius of the dominant lower limb for 4 minutes (3 sets of 1 minute with 30 seconds of rest). Participants in the control group will remain at complete rest for a period of 4 minutes, lying in the supine position, without performing any type of active or passive intervention. Immediately after the intervention/control, all groups will be reassessed (M1).
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Being tested
- Dynamic foam rolling
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dynamic foam rollingDevice
The foam roller will be in contact with the muscle being tested and the patient will exert a load until they feel a slight pain. In this way, the patient performs a self-massage in the direction of the muscle fibers.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention group | Active comparator | A myofascial release technique will be performed using a foam roller (Blackroll Standard, 30 x 15 cm) on the dominant lower limb.
For the Intervention Group (IG), the technique will be applied to the gastrocnemius muscles. In this group, participants will adopt a semi-seated position on a mat, supported by their arms while keeping the body well aligned. The movement will be performed in the direction of the muscle fibers (cephalocaudal), ensuring the accuracy of the technique.
The foam roller will be in contact with the targeted muscle, and the participant will apply pressure until experiencing slight discomfort. In this way, a self-massage will be performed following the direction of the muscle fibers. Receives: Device: Dynamic foam rolling |
| Control group | No intervention | The participants will remain at rest in a chair for 4 minutes. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change of active cervical range of motion in flexion and extension.
Data will be collected at two time points: baseline assessment (M0) and after the intervention/control (M1).
Participants will be instructed to sit with their spine straight and supported against the backrest of the chair, with ankles, knees, and hips positioned at 90 degrees. Arms will remain crossed over the chest to prevent compensatory thoracic movements.
Before the test begins, each participant will be asked to actively perform the flexion and extension movements to the limit of their range of motion, aiming to reduce stiffness and promote familiarization with the assessment protocol.
Measurements will be taken three times for each movement (active flexion and extension), with 30-second rest intervals between each measurement. The average of the three values will be calculated and recorded as the final value.
Measured: Change from Baseline (M0) to Immediately after intervention or control (M1)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jun 2025
- Study start15 Jun 2025
- Primary completion4 Jul 2025
- Study completion30 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Fernando Pessoa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ricardo Cardoso, University Fernando Pessoa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07025746
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ESS/LFST-706/25-2
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 6 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Gastrocnemius Myofascial Release on Cervical Flexion and Extension Range of Motion in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07025746
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ESS/LFST-706/25-2
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Fernando PessoaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 4 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to verify the immediate effects of gastrocnemius myofascial release on the active cervical flexion and extension range of motion.
Detailed description
After completing the questionnaire, 91 healthy participants will be randomly divided into two groups: the Intervention Group (IG) (n=46) and the Control Group (CG) (n=45). In the first assessment (M0), the range of motion of cervical flexion and extension will be measured using a smartphone (Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Android) and the Clinometer application. The myofascial release technique (foam roller) will be applied to the gastrocnemius of the dominant lower limb for 4 minutes (3 sets of 1 minute with 30 seconds of rest). Participants in the control group will remain at complete rest for a period of 4 minutes, lying in the supine position, without performing any type of active or passive intervention. Immediately after the intervention/control, all groups will be reassessed (M1).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention group | Active comparator | Device: Dynamic foam rollingA myofascial release technique will be performed using a foam roller (Blackroll Standard, 30 x 15 cm) on the dominant lower limb. For the Intervention Group (IG), the technique will be applied to the gastrocnemius muscles. In this group, participants will adopt a semi-seated position on a mat, supported by their arms while keeping the body well aligned. The movement will be performed in the direction of the muscle fibers (cephalocaudal), ensuring the accuracy of the technique. The foam roller will be in contact with the targeted muscle, and the participant will apply pressure until experiencing slight discomfort. In this way, a self-massage will be performed following the direction of the muscle fibers. |
| Control group | No intervention | –The participants will remain at rest in a chair for 4 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Healthy participants of both sexes aged 18-40 years.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Deformities in the lower quadrant region of the body;
- Complaints in this region in the last 6 months;
- Surgical procedures or musculoskeletal, cardiac, renal, metabolic, neurological and or oncological pathologies;
- Limb length discrepancy greater than 1.5 cm;
- Pregnant women;
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic foam rollingThe foam roller will be in contact with the muscle being tested and the patient will exert a load until they feel a slight pain. In this way, the patient performs a self-massage in the direction of the muscle fibers. | Device | Intervention group |
Primary outcome
Change of active cervical range of motion in flexion and extension.
Time frame: Change from Baseline (M0) to Immediately after intervention or control (M1)
Data will be collected at two time points: baseline assessment (M0) and after the intervention/control (M1). Participants will be instructed to sit with their spine straight and supported against the backrest of the chair, with ankles, knees, and hips positioned at 90 degrees. Arms will remain crossed over the chest to prevent compensatory thoracic movements. Before the test begins, each participant will be asked to actively perform the flexion and extension movements to the limit of their range of motion, aiming to reduce stiffness and promote familiarization with the assessment protocol. Measurements will be taken three times for each movement (active flexion and extension), with 30-second rest intervals between each measurement. The average of the three values will be calculated and recorded as the final value.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 May 2026.
Related trials for Healthy
Recruiting
THE EFFECTS OF GAME-BASED EXERCISE PROGRAMS
Physical Activity, Body Image
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
A Phase I Study of GLR2053 Tablets in Chinese Healthy Adult Participants
Atopic Dermatitis
Recruiting
Colon-delivered Riboflavin and Gut Microbiota Composition
Microbiome Dysbiosis, Gut Health
Not yet recruiting
Neuroergonomic Analysis of a Brain-Computer Interface Device (BCI)
Healthy Volunteers - Male and Female
RecruitingPhase 1
First-in-Human Trial to Assess REGN20423 in Healthy Adult Participants and Adult Participants With Atopic Dermatitis
Healthy Volunteer, Atopic Dermatitis
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dynamic foam rolling in people with Healthy, run by University Fernando Pessoa at 1 site in Portugal.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Portugal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change of active cervical range of motion in flexion and extension. (time frame: Change from Baseline (M0) to Immediately after intervention or control (M1)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 May 2026.