The effectiveness of Ergon Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, foam rolling, and athletic elastic taping in improving volleyball players’ shoulder range of motion and throwing performance: a pilot study on elite athletes

[Purpose] The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), foam rolling, and athletic elastic taping on improving elite volleyball players’ shoulder range of motion (ROM) and throwing performance. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen elite male volleyball players (mean age: 24 ± 4.54 years; mean height: 177 ± 0.08 cm; mean weight: 81 ± 7.71 kg) received shoulder Ergon IASTM, foam rolling, and elastic taping treatment in random order on both upper extremities once a week for three weeks. Pre-and post-treatment assessments of their shoulders’ ROM and functional throwing performance were performed. [Results] Ergon IASTM technique resulted in significantly higher shoulder flexion ROM values than foam rolling and elastic taping. Foam rolling, in turn, showed better results than athletic elastic taping. Moreover, the Ergon IASTM technique resulted in significantly higher OSP values than athletic elastic taping. No significant differences were observed between the therapeutic interventions in terms of FTPI. [Conclusion] This pilot study on elite athletes provides evidence that both IASTM and foam rolling techniques may improve their passive shoulder ROM compared to elastic athletic taping while Ergon IASTM can also enhance their shoulder throwing performance.