Discussion
The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of wrapping
floss band around the upper-thigh, while using different degrees of
wrapping pressure, on ASLR, MVC, and TMG contractile characteristics of
the knee extensors and flexors.
The findings of the present study show a statistically significant
improvement in knee extensors MVC up to 30 minutes after the
intervention (resulting in small to medium benefit) and a
significant shortening in RF TMG contraction time (Tc_RF) immediately
after the intervention (small benefit), where the LOW wrapping
pressure condition was applied. In addition, medium benefits were
associated with the LOW condition compared to HIGH for extMVC and
Tc_RF, and medium benefits also discovered for RF displacement
(Dm_RF) in the LOW condition compared to CON immediately after the
floss application. Despite there being no statistically significant
differences when CON and HIGH wrapping pressures were applied, there
were medium benefits in BF displacement (Dm_BF) associated with
the HIGH condition compared to CON. The results show an acute
improvement in neuromuscular performance, particularly after the LOW
condition compared to CON and HIGH conditions.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the
effects of tissue flossing on MVC or other neuromuscular parameters,
when the floss band was wrapped around the thigh. However, similar
short-term benefits for tissue flossing applied over the ankle joint on
athletic performance in recreationally trained individuals were recently
reported; \citet*{Driller_2017} demonstrated a significant increase in single-leg vertical jump test
after only 2 minutes of floss band application; in addition, \citet{Driller_2017a} observed an increase in countermovement jump force and sprinting time up
to 45 minutes after flossing. In contrast, tissue flossing seems to be
less effective when applied to elite
athletes \cite{Mills_2020}.