ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME INJURED RUNNERS INCREASE FLEXIBILITY USING SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION AND INCREASE FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH USING A HEAT PACK-IMPLICATIONS FOR FASTER RECOVERY

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of two independent treatments, soft tissue mobilization and a localized heat pack, upon iliotibial band syndrome injured runner. Iliotibial band injured runners (n=5) who were actively seeking soft tissue mobilization as a treatment were recruited. These runners received one of three randomized treatments during three consecutive visits - (1) soft tissue mobilization (2) an iliotibial band isolating heat pack (3) rest. Iliotibial band flexibility and functional abductor strength measures were taken before and after each treatment. Flexibility was quantified by determining the hip and knee abduction moments generated during the iliotibial band stretch. Each active treatment resulted in significant changes when compared to the treatment of rest. Soft tissue mobilization increased flexibility at the hip and knee while the heat pack increased functional abductor strength