Elastic bands vs foam rollers: no clear winner in handball Warm-Up showdown
NCT ID NCT07306416
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested two warm-up techniques—tissue flossing (wrapping an elastic band tightly around the thigh) and foam rolling—in 30 young male handball players. Researchers measured muscle flexibility, stiffness, and jump performance before and after each method. Neither technique clearly outperformed the other or a simple exercise-only warm-up.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Tissue flossing (elastic band compression) and foam rolling
- What this could lead to
- If one method proves better, it could help athletes choose a more effective warm-up technique to improve flexibility and jump performance.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study in healthy young male athletes. Results may not apply to other groups or sports, and neither technique showed a major advantage over simple exercises.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Finished
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Jun 2023
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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15 to 22 years
- Sex
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Male participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Self-identified male * Aged approximately 16-18 years * Active handball player with at least 8 years of playing experience * Currently healthy with no injuries in the past 3 months * Able to perform physical activity and complete all testing procedures * No prior regular use of tissue flossing (TF) or foam rolling (FR) techniques Exclusion Criteria: * Current or recent (within 3 months) musculoskeletal injury * Any medical condition that would limit safe participation in exercise testing * Previous experience with tissue flossing (TF) or regular use of foam rolling (FR) * Inability to follow study instructions or complete all sessions
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University
Prague, 261 01, Czechia
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