A novel approach to improve hamstring flexibility: A single-blinded randomised clinical trial.

Faris Alshammari,Mohammad Abu Kabar,Eman Alzoghbieh,Mohannad Hawamdeh

doi:10.4102/sajp.v75i1.465

Faris Alshammari, Mohammad Abu Kabar + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v75i1.465

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Abstract

BackgroundThe hamstrings play a major role in body posture. Shortening or tightness of the hamstrings affects postural alignment and results in possible musculoskeletal pain.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop a novel approach to improve hamstring flexibility in young adults.MethodA single-blinded randomised clinical trial included 60 participants aged 18–24 with shortened hamstrings recruited from the Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. The range of motion of knee extension was measured with the hip at 90° flexion using a simple goniometer to detect the level of hamstring flexibility. Participants received either a passive hamstring stretch (PS), followed by two sets of 10 tibial nerve neurodynamic technique (ND), or PS followed by three sets of 10 repetitions of active knee extension–quadriceps activation (QA), or PS only.ResultsThere was a significant improvement of hamstring flexibility in the QA group compared to the PS group (13.4 ± 12.1° vs. 6.2 ± 6.4°, p = 0.05). There was a significant improvement in hamstring flexibility post-intervention compared to pre-intervention in the PS group by 6.2 ± 6.4 (30.5 ± 10.8° vs. 36.6 ± 9.5°, p = 0.001), ND group by 9.3 ± 6.2 (26.7 ± 10.9° vs. 36.0 ± 9.5°, p = 0.001) and QA group by 13.4 ± 12.1 (20.3 ± 9.0° vs. 33.4 ± 8.9°, p = 0.001).ConclusionQuadriceps muscle activation following passive stretching of the hamstrings appears to be superior to the PS and ND techniques in improving hamstring muscle flexibility.Clinical implicationsQuadriceps activation following passive hamstring stretching can be used in physiotherapy settings to improve hamstring muscle flexibility.

Highlights

The hamstrings is major muscles that control the movement of the hip and knee joints (Bregenhof et al 2018;Malfait et al 2016;Pinniger, Steele &Groeller 2000) and control the alignment of the pelvis and spine (Jozwiak, Pietrzak &Tobjasz 1997)
Quadriceps muscle activation following passive stretching of the hamstrings appears to be superior to the passive hamstring stretch (PS) and neurodynamic technique (ND) techniques in improving hamstring muscle flexibility
Clinical implications: Quadriceps activation following passive hamstring stretching can be used in physiotherapy settings to improve hamstring muscle flexibility

Summary

Introduction

The hamstrings is major muscles that control the movement of the hip and knee joints (Bregenhof et al 2018;Malfait et al 2016;Pinniger, Steele &Groeller 2000) and control the alignment of the pelvis and spine (Jozwiak, Pietrzak &Tobjasz 1997). They play an important role in postural alignment where the shortening of the hamstrings could result in a posterior pelvic tilt and hypolordosis of the lumbar spine (Borman, Trudelle-Jackson & Smith 2011;Jozwiak et al 1997). Shortening or tightness of the hamstrings affects postural alignment and results in possible musculoskeletal pain

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