Abstract
BackgroundHamstring shortening may have negative impacts on function and biomechanics of knee and hip joints and lumbo-pelvic rhythm. Many interventions are believed to correct hamstring to its normal length. There are several reports of impairment in postural control of patients with low back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of stretching exercise and strengthening exercise in lengthened position of the hamstring muscle on improving the dynamic balance of the person in patients with chronic low back pain with short hamstring muscles.MethodsForty-five patients with hamstring shortening who referred to physiotherapy clinic of Kermanshah university of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran were randomly allocated to the three groups; static stretching (n = 15), strengthening exercise in lengthened hamstring position (n = 15) and control (n = 15).All groups received conventional physiotherapy for low back pain and the two intervention groups received stretching exercise and strengthening exercise in lengthened position programs as well. All groups performed three treatment sessions for a week, a total of 12 sessions. For balance assessment, Y-Balance test was performed for each participant in three reach directions. To determine the important and significant variables, all variables entered a model (Generalized Estimation Equations method).ResultsThe results indicate that based on GEE model, by controlling other variables, participants of static stretching exercise showed more improvement in balance than control group (β = 9.58, p-value = 0.014). Also, balance status showed significant improvement in the end of study compared to baseline of the study (β = 7.71, P-value< 0.001).In addition, the balance in three reach directions improved significantly and the greatest balance improvement was in the anterior reach direction (β ranged over = 6.16 to 11.59) and the height of patients affected their balance (β = 0.28, P-value = 0.034).ConclusionsGroup (type of intervention), phase of intervention, reach direction of test (anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral) and height of participants were associated with balance performance. Static stretching exercise was more effective than muscle strengthening exercise in lengthened position for improving dynamic balance in low back pain patients with hamstring tightness.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201507258035n2). Registered 16th September 2015.
Highlights
Hamstring shortening may have negative impacts on function and biomechanics of knee and hip joints and lumbo-pelvic rhythm
The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of stretching and strength exercises of the hamstring muscle length on improving the dynamic balance of the person, using Y test in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) with short hamstring muscles
The results indicate that based on Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) model, by controlling other variables, participants of static stretching exercise showed more improvement in balance than other groups (β = 9.58, p = 0.014), and mean balance value in this group was 9-folds more than the control group
Summary
Hamstring shortening may have negative impacts on function and biomechanics of knee and hip joints and lumbo-pelvic rhythm. Shortening of hamstring muscles may have negative impacts on function and biomechanics of knee and hip joints and lumbo-pelvic rhythm and may tend to dysfunction which may cause low back pain (LBP) [3]. Hamstring shortening may cause reduction in muscle strength, quadriceps muscle dysfunction and posture derangement leading to hyper-lordosis [5]. Many interventions are believed to correct hamstring to its normal length. This include stretching (different technique types), Mulligan’s traction straight leg raise, muscle energy technique, ultrasound therapy and short wave diathermy along with stretching exercises [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
