Abstract
Hamstring flexibility plays an important role in physical fitness. Hamstring tightness is determined by knee extension deficit. Passive stretching is simple and found effective to improve muscle flexibility. In clinical settings, 90-90 passive stretching test is used whereas knee to chest position stretches proximal ends of hamstrings which leads to isolated hip flexion and causes all three muscles tendons of hamstrings to lengthen to a greater degree because lever arms are larger at the hip. The present study hypothesized that stretching both proximal and distal ends of hamstrings will be more effective than stretching distal end in full range alone. Therefore present study determines whether adding component like knee to chest position to 90-90 passive hamstring stretch enhances the flexibility. Total 200 young healthy individuals (100 Males, 100 Females) of age 18 to 25 years participated in study. Individuals with bilateral hamstring tightness (>20 degrees) were included. Randomly, on one side passive 90-90 stretching technique was applied (60 seconds)and on other side 90-90 passive hamstring technique (30 seconds) plus knee to chest passive stretch (30 seconds) was applied and compared between both genders. Active knee extension test was used as an outcome measure for calculating hamstring tightness angle. Stastically unpaired t- test was used for comparison between tests. Results showed highly significant increase (p=0.0005) in knee extension range of motion with 90-90 passive hamstring stretch plus knee to chest position than 90-90 hamstring stretch alone. Hence, 90-90 passive hamstring stretching technique plus knee to chest position found more effective in hamstring flexibility than 90-90 passive hamstring stretch alone. Keywords: Hamstrings stretching, Flexibility, 90-90 Hamstrings test, Knee to chest position, Active knee extension test.
Highlights
A proper stretching program is a key to achieve flexibility.[1]
Hamstring tightness causes slight knee flexion during activities and inputs higher quadriceps forces to overcome the passive resistance of the hamstring, which may lead to increased patellofemoral joint reaction forces results in knee joint pain.[4,5]
The subjects were evaluated for bilateral hamstring muscle tightness and were determined by knee extension deficit (KED) by active knee extension test (AKET) (Fig. 1, 2)
Summary
A proper stretching program is a key to achieve flexibility.[1] Hamstring is one of the muscle group that have a tendency to shorten.[2] Hamstring is a group of muscles including semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris and it functions as flexor of knee joint and extensor of hip joint.[3] Muscle shortening usually results in individuals with low levels of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, postural deviations, muscle imbalances and prolonged immobilization. Hamstring tightness has been reported to be the cause of posterior pelvic tilt which reduces lumbar lordosis and cause exacerbation of existing pain in low back. Hamstring tightness causes slight knee flexion during activities and inputs higher quadriceps forces to overcome the passive resistance of the hamstring, which may lead to increased patellofemoral joint reaction forces results in knee joint pain.[4,5]
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