Effect of Graston Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique on Muscular Force

Abstract

Background: The Graston Technique (GT) is a form of manual therapy known as soft-tissue instrument-assisted mobilization and has been recently popular in World of Sport. GT has been used for muscular relaxation and for increasing range of motion (ROM) but when compared with classical stretching techniques GT usage has some advantages like less injury risk, fascial correction effect, less metabolic fatigue. While achieving muscular relaxation and increased ROM, static stretching creates energy expenditure and decreased alpha motor neuron activity. In GT these results are not expected due to its application characteristics. The focus of the article is to determine whether GT application creates muscular inhibition while relaxation of muscle comes out. Participants: 103 amateur athletes participated the study as 49 people in GT application group (19,6±3 years) and 54 people in control group (19,6±3 years). Antebrachii flexors were targeted as application field. G+1 soft tissue mobilizator and sweeping technique were used for 1 minute on left and right forearms. Before and after application forearm isometric muscle strength was measured using digital hand dynamometer for both groups. Results: In statistical analyzing IBM SPSS version 22 computer program and Paired Samples t Test were used and wasn’t determined any significant difference between application and control group scores. Discussions: The result that GT has no inhibition effect on muscles after application so it can be used a tool to make athletes having muscle stiffness and spasms prepare competition and training without decrement of muscle force.

Keywords

• Graston Technique
• Muscular Force
• Muscular Inhibition

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