Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (3): 464-471.doi: 10.12307/2023.878

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Application and mechanism of tissue flossing in sports and rehabilitation

Yan Hailong, Huo Jiangtao, Zhou Wucheng, Bai Xuehua, Liang Yuanyuan   

  1. Medical NCOs Academy of Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050081, Hebei Province, China
  • Received:2022-12-23 Accepted:2023-02-01 Online:2024-01-28 Published:2023-07-10
  • Contact: Liang Yuanyuan, Master, Lecturer, Medical NCOs Academy of Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050081, Hebei Province, China
  • About author:Yan Hailong, Teaching assistant, Medical NCOs Academy of Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050081, Hebei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Youth Training Program of the Medical NCOs Academy of Army Medical University, No. 2022QN-08 (to YHL)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tissue flossing is a new injury prevention tool and auxiliary exercise training strategy. Tissue flossing can increase joint range of motion, improve athletic performance, and relieve pain, and is increasingly widely used in the field of sports and rehabilitation.  
OBJECTIVE: To review the mechanism of tissue flossing and its application in sports and rehabilitation to provide a reference for follow-up research.
METHODS: “Tissue flossing; compression tissue flossing; floss band; voodoo flossband; blood flow restriction; shearing of fascia; musculoskeletal rehabilitation; sport injury” were used as Chinese and English search terms to search on the databases of CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed and EBSCO databases. Relevant articles from January 2000 to October 2022 were retrieved, and 86 articles were finally included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Tissue flossing intervention can improve lower limb joint motion, improve sprint and jump performance, promote joint injury rehabilitation, and relieve pain subjectively. However, tissue flossing intervention did not improve the range of motion of the upper limb. There is still controversy on the acute enhancement of lower limb muscle strength. It has a good tendency to improve lower limb balance and stability and improve mental state, but more studies are needed to confirm. The possible mechanisms of tissue flossing intervention are mainly fascia shear, pain gating, blood flow restriction and reperfusion, and compression. Tissue flossing is a useful treatment option that can provide important contributions in the future in the areas of sports training, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, but more long-term in-depth studies are needed. 

Key words: tissue flossing, compression tissue flossing, floss band, voodoo flossband, blood flow restriction, shearing of fascia, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, sport injury

CLC Number: