Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- A2019
Effects of foam rolling on performance and recovery: A systematic review of the literature to guide practitioners on the use of foam rolling
Sharief Hendricks, Hayd'n Hill, Steve den Hollander, Wayne Lombard, Romy ParkerThis systematic review analyzed 49 studies to understand how foam rolling affects athletic performance and recovery. The authors found evidence that foam rolling can decrease muscle stiffness and improve range of motion…
FlexibilityFoam rollingPerformanceRecovery - A2019
Cellular nanoscale stiffness patterns governed by intracellular forces
Nicola Mandriota, Claudia Friedsam, John A Jones-Molina, Kathleen V Tatem, Donald E Ingber, Ozgur SahinCell stiffness is important in many biological processes, but its precise relationship to the forces acting inside the cell has been unclear. In this study, researchers developed a new high-resolution imaging platform t…
Tensegritymechanotransductioncell - cell interaction - A+++2019
An extravascular fluid transport system based on structural framework of fibrous connective tissues in human body
Hongyi Li, Chongqing Yang, Yajun Yin, Fang Wang, Min Chen, Liang Xu, Naili Wang, Di Zhang, Xiaoxia Wang, Yiya Kong, Qin…Researchers investigated a potential fluid transport system within the body's fibrous connective tissues, separate from blood and lymphatic vessels. Using fluorescent tracers in cadavers and MRI in volunteers, they visu…
interstitial fluidinterstitiuminterstitial spacesfascia fluid - A2019
Fascial Nomenclature: Update on Related Consensus Process
Robert Schleip, Gil Hedley, Can A YucesoyThe term "fascia" is increasingly used across different health-oriented fields, but often inconsistently, which causes confusion. To address this, the Fascia Research Society established a Fascia Nomenclature Committee.…
fascia; terminology; Delphi technique; nomenclature; connective tissue - A+2019
Ultrasound-detected connective tissue involvement in acute muscle injuries in elite athletes and return to play: The French National Institute of Sports (INSEP) study
Jérôme Renoux, Jean-Louis Brasseur, Mathilde Wagner, Alain Frey, Dominique Folinais, Christian Dibie, Djamila Maiza, Mi…This study examined 70 elite athletes with acute muscle injuries. Researchers used ultrasound within seven days to assess injury severity and to see if connective tissue was involved. They then tracked the time it took…
ultrasound.return to playMuscle injuriesConnective tissue injury - A2019
Intra-articular effects of combined xenogenous serum rich in growth factors (SRGF) and vitamin C on histopathology grading and staging of osteoarthritis in rat model
S Azizi, A Farsinejad, R Kheirandish, H FatemiThis animal study investigated a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. Researchers induced OA in the rats' knees and then treated them with intra-articular injections. One group received a combination of…
Osteoarthritis; SRGF; Monosodium iodoacetate; Vitamin C; Histopathology - A2019
Fascial Nomenclature: An Update
Bruno Bordoni, Stevan Walkowski, Bruno Morabito, Matthew A VaracalloThis review article discusses the ongoing challenge of creating a single, comprehensive definition for fascia. The authors argue that different scientific and clinical fields view fascia through their own unique lenses,…
fasciamechanotransductionMyofascialOsteopathicphysiotherapy - 1A+2019
The Awareness of the Fascial System
Bruno Bordoni, Marta SimonelliIn this theoretical article, the authors propose a new way of looking at the fascial system, drawing on concepts from quantum physics. They suggest that fascial cells can sense, remember, and even anticipate mechanical…
fasciafascial systemMyofascialquantum physicsphysiology - A+++2019
Is It All About the Fascia? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prevalence of Extramuscular Connective Tissue Lesions in Muscle Strain Injury
Jan Wilke, Luiz Hespanhol, Martin BehrensThis systematic review and meta-analysis examined how often connective tissue is damaged in athletic muscle strains. Researchers analyzed 16 imaging studies and found that lesions to the fascia and tendons are highly pr…
return to play; muscle injury; collagen; imaging; ultrasound; MRI - A2019
A Systematic Review of the Morphology and Function of the Sacrotuberous Ligament
DANIELA ALDABE , NIELS HAMMER, NATASHA A M S FLACK, STEPHANIE J WOODLEYThis systematic review examined existing research on the sacrotuberous ligament (STL) to clarify its anatomy and function. The STL is often implicated in conditions like pelvic girdle pain, but its exact role has been d…
anatomy; pelvis; ligament; review - A+++2019
Vitamin C administration in the critically ill: a summary of recent meta-analyses
Anitra C CarrThis 2019 publication is a summary of recent meta-analyses on the topic of vitamin C administration for critically ill patients. As the full text has not yet been reviewed, a detailed summary of its findings is not avai…
Vitamin CAscorbic acidsepsis - A++2019
Fascial Entrapment Neuropathy
ANTONIO STECCO, CARMELO PIRRI, CARLA STECCOThis narrative review explores how fascia can contribute to nerve entrapment syndromes, which cause pain, sensory abnormalities, and weakness. The authors describe how nerves are surrounded by a microenvironment of conn…
nerve; nerve entrapment; fascia; Parsonage-Turner