AthletesNCT07113249
The Effects of Foam Rolling on Ankle Dorsiflexion, Ankle Stability, and Athletic Performance in Rhythmic Gymnasts
A study testing Foam Rolling (FR) in people with Athletes, run by University of Palermo at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
Rhythmic Gymnastics is an Olympic discipline featuring individual or team competition. Regardless of the type of competition, athletes undergo rigorous training focused on enhancing their coordination, joint range of motion, and jump height. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 9 to 17 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletes
- What is being tested?
- Foam Rolling (FR)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to 30 Jun 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 9 to 17 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Active participation in competitive training programs (at least 10 hours per week), at least one year of experience in competitions organized by the Italian Gymnastics Federation, and no recent injuries.
Who cannot join
- Presence of current or not fully recovered injuries to the ankle or foot, and irregular participation in training sessions within the four weeks preceding the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Foam Rolling During the Warm-Up Phase on Range of Motion, Ankle Stability and Leaping Performance in Young Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts
Rhythmic Gymnastics is an Olympic discipline featuring individual or team competition. Regardless of the type of competition, athletes undergo rigorous training focused on enhancing their coordination, joint range of motion, and jump height. Each rhythmic gymnast voluntarily underwent testing at their own gym after reading and signing the informed consent document. During the first session, general information was collected on all participants (age, weight, and height), followed by an assessment of athletic performance and joint mobility parameters. For the jump performance parameters, the Counter Movement Jump test (CMJ) was used through an optical detecting system. An inertial sensor was used to measure joint mobility, while a pressure platform was used to measure ankle stability, using a single-leg jump protocol. Subsequently, participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG performed three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets for two times for week for 3 weeks. During each FR session, a complete sequential movement was always performed, starting from the gastrocnemius muscles and ending with the soleus muscle. At the end of the three weeks, all measurements were repeated.
- Conditions
- Athletes
- Being tested
- Foam Rolling (FR)
- Keywords
- Rhythmic Gymnasts, Performance, Injury Prevention
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Foam Rolling (FR)Other
For the FR, participants were asked to place the roller behind their leg. Three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets, were performed, for a total of 90 rolls per set.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Foam Rolling (FR) | Experimental | Three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets for two times for week. During each FR session, a complete sequential movement was always performed, starting from the gastrocnemius muscles and ending with the soleus. A metronome was set to play one complete repetition every 2 seconds to establish the speed of execution. Receives: Other: Foam Rolling (FR) |
| Control Group (CG) | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Counter Movement Jump (CMJ)
Initially, the athlete stands upright on a flat surface or force platform, feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips (to eliminate arm swing). Without a pause, the athlete performs a quick downward movement (countermovement) by bending the knees and hips, then immediately jumps vertically as high as possible. The athlete lands in an upright position on the same spot, trying to absorb the impact with knees slightly bent. Jump height and flight time is recorded using an optical system, Optojump™ system(Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) connected to a personal computer with dedicated software(OptojumpTM Next software). The system consists of two optical bars, a receiver and a transmitter, positioned 1m apart. The bars identify ground contact time(with a precision of 1ms) and then convert non-contact time into cm. Based on recommendations on optimal jump height (20 to 60cm).
Measured: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)
Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM
Each participant was fitted with an inertial sensor (Beyond Inertial, Motusech, Roma, Itay) in the center of the foot, using an elastic band supplied with the sensor. The starting position was standardized with the subjects sitting on a medical bed with the popliteal cord attached to the edge of the bed, forming a 90° angle. The position of the foot, on the other hand, was placed in a neutral position using a laser level. Subsequently, the dorsal flexion movement was performed.
Measured: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)
Ankle Stability
Ankle stability was assessed using a functional monopodalic protocol, which involved four jumps on one foot: two per leg, both frontally and laterally. These jumps were performed by stepping over an adjustable obstacle set at 70% of the maximum height reached on a pressure platform (SensorMedica freeMed 40×40, Guidonia Montecelio, Italy). The platform has an active sensory surface of 40×40 cm with a thickness of only 8 mm and a low weight of approximately 4 kg. Inside, there are resistive sensors coated in 24K gold on conductive rubber, with a density of approximately 10,000 sensors/m².The acquisition frequency is high, up to 400 Hz, allowing for detailed dynamic analysis, and the sensors have a life cycle of over 1,000,000 cycles of use
Measured: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Aug 2025
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completion15 Jun 2025
- Study completion30 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AthletesStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG)
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Palermo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Giacomo Belmonte, University of Palermo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07113249
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 62141-2025-1
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Belmonte G, Patti A, Di Mitri IR, Gervasi M, Formiglio E, Fernandez-Pena E, Thomas E, Bianco A. Effects of a 3-week foam rolling warm-up intervention on ankle dorsiflexion measurements and jumping performance in young rhythmic gymnasts. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Feb 10;18(1):132. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01575-2.
PubMed 41664208
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Foam Rolling During the Warm-Up Phase on Range of Motion, Ankle Stability and Leaping Performance in Young Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07113249
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 62141-2025-1
- Conditions
- Athletes
- Keywords
- Rhythmic Gymnasts, Performance, Injury Prevention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of PalermoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Aug 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.
Rhythmic Gymnastics is an Olympic discipline featuring individual or team competition. Regardless of the type of competition, athletes undergo rigorous training focused on enhancing their coordination, joint range of motion, and jump height. Each rhythmic gymnast voluntarily underwent testing at their own gym after reading and signing the informed consent document. During the first session, general information was collected on all participants (age, weight, and height), followed by an assessment of athletic performance and joint mobility parameters. For the jump performance parameters, the Counter Movement Jump test (CMJ) was used through an optical detecting system. An inertial sensor was used to measure joint mobility, while a pressure platform was used to measure ankle stability, using a single-leg jump protocol. Subsequently, participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG performed three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets for two times for week for 3 weeks. During each FR session, a complete sequential movement was always performed, starting from the gastrocnemius muscles and ending with the soleus muscle. At the end of the three weeks, all measurements were repeated.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG)
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Foam Rolling (FR) | Experimental | Other: Foam Rolling (FR)Three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets for two times for week. During each FR session, a complete sequential movement was always performed, starting from the gastrocnemius muscles and ending with the soleus. A metronome was set to play one complete repetition every 2 seconds to establish the speed of execution. |
| Control Group (CG) | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 9 to 17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Active participation in competitive training programs (at least 10 hours per week), at least one year of experience in competitions organized by the Italian Gymnastics Federation, and no recent injuries.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Presence of current or not fully recovered injuries to the ankle or foot, and irregular participation in training sessions within the four weeks preceding the study.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Foam Rolling (FR)For the FR, participants were asked to place the roller behind their leg. Three sets, each lasting 60 seconds, with a 30-second break between sets, were performed, for a total of 90 rolls per set. | Other | Experimental: Foam Rolling (FR) |
Primary outcome
Counter Movement Jump (CMJ)
Time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)
Initially, the athlete stands upright on a flat surface or force platform, feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips (to eliminate arm swing). Without a pause, the athlete performs a quick downward movement (countermovement) by bending the knees and hips, then immediately jumps vertically as high as possible. The athlete lands in an upright position on the same spot, trying to absorb the impact with knees slightly bent. Jump height and flight time is recorded using an optical system, Optojump™ system(Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) connected to a personal computer with dedicated software(OptojumpTM Next software). The system consists of two optical bars, a receiver and a transmitter, positioned 1m apart. The bars identify ground contact time(with a precision of 1ms) and then convert non-contact time into cm. Based on recommendations on optimal jump height (20 to 60cm).
Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM
Time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)
Each participant was fitted with an inertial sensor (Beyond Inertial, Motusech, Roma, Itay) in the center of the foot, using an elastic band supplied with the sensor. The starting position was standardized with the subjects sitting on a medical bed with the popliteal cord attached to the edge of the bed, forming a 90° angle. The position of the foot, on the other hand, was placed in a neutral position using a laser level. Subsequently, the dorsal flexion movement was performed.
Ankle Stability
Time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)
Ankle stability was assessed using a functional monopodalic protocol, which involved four jumps on one foot: two per leg, both frontally and laterally. These jumps were performed by stepping over an adjustable obstacle set at 70% of the maximum height reached on a pressure platform (SensorMedica freeMed 40×40, Guidonia Montecelio, Italy). The platform has an active sensory surface of 40×40 cm with a thickness of only 8 mm and a low weight of approximately 4 kg. Inside, there are resistive sensors coated in 24K gold on conductive rubber, with a density of approximately 10,000 sensors/m².The acquisition frequency is high, up to 400 Hz, allowing for detailed dynamic analysis, and the sensors have a life cycle of over 1,000,000 cycles of use
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 17 Aug 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41664208Belmonte G, Patti A, Di Mitri IR, Gervasi M, Formiglio E, Fernandez-Pena E, Thomas E, Bianco A. Effects of a 3-week foam rolling warm-up intervention on ankle dorsiflexion measurements and jumping performance in young rhythmic gymnasts. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Feb 10;18(1):132. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01575-2.
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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 Foam Rolling (FR) in people with Athletes, run by University of Palermo at 1 site in Italy.
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 1 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 17 Aug 2025. 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 Italy. 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?
Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) (time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 3-week treatment (T1)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07113249, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 17 Aug 2025.