• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to investigate the specificity of the effort of massage on hamstring muscles extensibility a9 measured by fingertip to floor test. The participant were healthy young men(n=25). Manual massage was applied to the posterior aspects of the both thigh (hamsting portion) during 20 mins. We measured four times ; that is, after rest 20 mins-before massage, immediately after massage, immediately after massage and 20 mins. after massage. As the middle fingers are reaching beyond the floor level, the level was considered as ( + ) level. And the middle fingers did not touch the 리oor, the level was considered as ( - ) level. Results were as fellows : 1) There was significant difference between group 1 and group 2(P<0.05), 2) There was no significant difference between group 2 and group 3(P>0.05). 3) There was no significant difference between group 3 and group 4(P>0.05). Therefore, the extensibility of hamstring muscles was increased after massage more than rest during 20 mins, before massage, and the effects of massage application were prolonged during 20 mins, after massage.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 1994

Thirty healthy adults aged 20 to 29 with no history of musculoskeletal or neurogenic disorder volunteered for this study. The contract-relax with agonist contration(CRAC) was applied to the right hamstring muscles with the subject in the supine position. Each hamstring group was stretched on three sucessive days with several repetitions of the technique lasting 1min, 3min, and 5min. respectively. Hamstring extensibility at the knee(ROM) was measured before and after stretching using on electronic digital inclinometer(EDI). The results, namely the increase in ROM, were analysed using one-way repeated ANOVA at p<0.05. The differences were not significant. Possible factors influencing the results are excessive sensitibility of the measuring instrument, the psychological and physical status of the subjects, and the level of muscle fatigue. The mean increases in ROM were 3.0 at 1min., 2.6 at 3min, and 2.1 at 5min. Inclusion of a control group would have further defined the effects of the stretching technique.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2023

Hamstring flexibility is an important factor that affects muscle performance of the lower extremities and is closely associated with sports injuries. Therefore, evaluation of flexibility is important in clinical practice. Results of evaluation are determined by types of tests and cut-off values used; therefore, accurate and detailed understanding of these is necessary before examination. Although the straight leg raise and sit and reach tests are used to evaluate hamstring extensibility, structures including the nerves, fascia, and other muscles can significantly confound the results of these tests. The knee extension test is performed at 90° of hip flexion to minimize the posterior pelvic tilt that occurs during the straight leg test. The knee extension test is most recommended for selective evaluation of hamstring flexibility. The knee extension test is classified into active and passive tests. The cut-off value is usually set at 20° for the active and at 10° for the passive knee extension test. Although a strong association is observed between the two tests, the active knee extension test is preferred in clinical practice because it can be performed by a single examiner, which serves as an advantage. Age, sex, and warm-up exercise tend to affect flexibility; therefore, results should be interpreted with caution. Detailed understanding of each flexibility test is important for reliable evaluation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2017

Background: Limitation of hamstring extensibility is often associated with various musculoskeletal problems such as alterations in posture and walking patterns. Thus, certain appropriate strategies need to be established for its management. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the neural mobilization technique and static stretching exercises on popliteal angle and hamstring compliance in young women with short hamstring syndrome (SHS). Methods: Thirty-three women with SHS were randomly assigned to either group-1 ($n_1=17$) that underwent the neural mobilization technique or group-2 ($n_2=16$) that underwent the static stretching exercises. Outcome measures included the active popliteal angle (APA) and a hamstring's electromyographic (EMG) activity at a maximum popliteal angle of the baseline. Intervention for each group was performed for a total time of 3-min (6 sets of a 30-sec application). Results: There were significant interactions between time and group in the APA [group-1 (pre-test to post-test): $69.70{\pm}8.14^{\circ}$ to $74.14{\pm}8.07^{\circ}$ and group-2: $68.66{\pm}7.42^{\circ}$ to $70.52{\pm}7.92^{\circ}$] (F1,31=6.678, p=.015) and the EMG activity of the hamstring (group-1: $1.12{\pm}.30{\mu}N$ to $.69{\pm}.31{\mu}V$ and group-2: $1.19{\pm}.49{\mu}V$ to $1.13{\pm}.47{\mu}V$)(F1,31=6.678, p=.015). Between-group comparison revealed that the EMG activity of the hamstring was significantly different at post-test between the groups (p<.05). Furthermore, in within-group comparison, group-1 appeared to be significantly different for both variables between pre- and post-test (p<.05); however, group-2 showed significant difference in only the APA between pre- and post-test (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the neural mobilization technique and static stretching exercises may be advantageous to improve hamstring compliance in young women with SHS, resulting in a more favorable outcome in the neural mobilization technique.