• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1461-1467
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether static stretching or Thera-band stretching of hamstrings is more effective in improving the flexibility of hamstrings. A total of 40 participants performed stretching 3 times a week for 4 weeks, and a sitting trunk flexion meter was used to measure the flexibility of the hamstrings. Differences in hamstring flexibility before and after the application of static and Thera-band stretching were analyzed, and differences between the stretching methods were also analyzed. As a result, hamstring flexibility increased significantly after the static stretching program (p=.000), and also increased significantly after the Thera-band stretching program (p=.000). Although both programs were effective in improving hamstring flexibility, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=.058). Therefore, static stretching and Thera-band stretching are effective interventions to improve and maintain hamstring flexibility.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.259-268
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the immediate effect of hip hinge exercise stretching on hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle, proprioception, and dynamic balance in individual with tightness of the hamstring. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 35 healthy young adults (27 males, 8 females) volunteered for this study and randomly divided into three groups (Hip hinge exercise stretching group, passive stretching group, and PNF stretching group). The hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle, knee joint proprioception, dynamic balance was conducted for 3 times. In order to evaluate the hamstring flexibility, the active knee extension test was performed. Forward bending test was performed to examine pelvic tilting angle.The proprioception was tested by the joint position sense test and dynamic balance was evaluated by Y balance test. Results: The hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle and dynamic balance were significantly improved between three groups before and after intervention (p<0.05). Dynamic balance was significantly difference between the three groups in the posterolateral direction (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study result showed that hip hinge exercise stretching was the most effective method for increasing hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle and dynamic balance. In addition, it is necessary to study whether hamstring stretching is effective in low back pain patient with hamstrings tightness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2023

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles when the hamstrings were stretched in one direction and when they were stretched in three directions. METHODS: In this study the subjects were divided into two groups, namely the 'one-direction stretching exercise of the hamstring muscle in the neutral position' group (female: 14 people, male: 14 people) and the 'three-way stretching exercise' group (female: 12 people, male: 14 people) considering the positions of the three hamstring muscles. The elasticity and flexibility of the hamstring muscles were measured before and after the self-extension exercise, and the average value of two measurements was noted. To evaluate the flexibility of the hamstring muscle, a 'sit and reach' test was performed, and muscle elasticity was measured using the MyotonPRO® device. RESULTS: After the stretching exercise, flexibility increased in both groups. In terms of muscle elasticity, the body dynamic strength and resonance frequency of the stretching one-direction stretching group decreased after the stretching exercise. CONCLUSION: To alter the muscle characteristics and increase the flexibility when performing a stretching exercise, selecting and stretching only one muscle with the lowest range of motion yields effective results. The ideal technique to be employed appears to be to stretch the entire hamstring muscle in one direction from the neutral position.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.433-441
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of three PNF stretching techniques for improving hamstring flexibility and to compare the effectiveness of three PNF stretching techniques(direct and indirect and mix(direct&indirect) of hold-relax technique). METHODS: The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: group1-direct-hold-relax technique(n=10); group2-indirect-hold-relax technique(n=8); group3-mix(direct&indirect)-hold-relax technique(n=10). For each group, stretch was performed three times a week for a period of three weeks. Hamstring flexibility for each group was measured using the ASLR and PSLR. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvement in hamstring flexibility for all subjects of three groups. However, were not significantly different between the three groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, three PNF stretching techniques are confirmed to be useful for improving hamstring flexibility. The choice for a qualified technique has to be made individually according to patient and therapist.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexibility and foot pressure on stretching exercise of hamstring muscle with and without pelvis neutral position. Methods : This study was performed on 30 subjects. Thirty subjects were divided into two group; hamstring passive stretching exercise with pelvis neutral position(n=15), hamstring passive stretching exercise without pelvis neutral position(n=15). Both of the group performed the exercise 4 times a week for 6 weeks. The data was analyzed by the paired t-test for comparing before and after changes of factors in each group and the independent t-test for comparing the between groups. Results : The results were as follows. There was statistically significant difference of before and after hamstring flexibility, foot pressure in pelvis neutral position(p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference of before and after hamstring flexibility, foot pressure without pelvis neutral position group(p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of between the two group in hamstring flexibility, foot pressure(p>0.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, though no statistically significant difference of the between groups, we suggest that stretching exercise of hamstring muscle with pelvic neutral may be effective more than stretching exercise of hamstring muscle without pelvic neutral in flexibility, foot pressure.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 2021

Background: In clinical practice, active knee extension (AKE) test has been widely used to measure hamstring flexibility. During the AKE test, the knee extension is repeated six times. The first five repetitions are considered as warm-up, and the sixth is used as baseline. In order to accurately measure the subject's inherent flexibility, warm-up trials have been proposed as mentioned above; but currently, the evidence is insufficient. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-three healthy adults participated in this study. The AKE was performed slowly after flexing the hip and knee joints by 90° in a supine position. The knee was extended as far as could be done without causing discomfort or pain. When reaching the end range, knee flexion was performed without stopping. As per standard protocol, the subjects performed the knee extension six times. Results: There was no significant difference between the AKE value in the first trial with those in the other five trials. During the repetitions, the average value in the group with higher flexibility tended to decrease and the Intraclass correlation coefficient gradually decreased. Conclusion: Successive repetitions of the AKE test can misrepresent an individual's inherent hamstring flexibility. In order to avoid a decrease in hamstring flexibility, it is strongly recommended that individuals with high initial hamstring flexibility avoid unnecessary repetitions of the AKE test.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.125-131
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on the flexibility of the hamstring, dynamic balance ability, and function of the lower extremities in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty participants were assigned randomly to three groups: static stretching group (SSG), basic dynamic stretching group (BDSG), and 5 sec dynamic stretching group (5DSG). SSG performed three sets of 30 seconds of static stretching. BDSG performed a single-leg deadlift (SLD) at the same time as SSG, and 5DSG performed SLD held for five seconds. Hamstring flexibility, dynamic balance ability, and lower extremity function were evaluated before and after intervention. Results: The hamstring flexibility significantly improved in all groups (p<0.05). The dynamic balance ability improved significantly after intervention in all groups except BDSG in the anterior direction (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the posterolateral and posteromedial direction in all groups. The function of the lower extremity showed significant improvement over time only in BDSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggested that basic dynamic stretching and 5 sec dynamic stretching positively affect the hamstring flexibility, dynamic balance ability, and lower extremity function. Therefore, it is recommended to include dynamic stretching in a program for improving the hamstring flexibility, dynamic balance ability, and the lower extremity function. In addition, it is recommended to apply it at different times depending on the purpose.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2023

Background: Although warm-ups before exercise are widely accepted, research on sex differences in improving hamstring flexibility is limited. Differences in the physical and physiological characteristics between males and females may result in different responses to warm-ups. Objects: This study aimed to examine sex differences in the effects of specific warm-up on hamstring flexibility. Methods: This study included 24 young adults with hamstring tightness. The participants performed five maximal knee extensions and flexions at 90° flexion of the hip, and the maximal knee extension angle was measured in real-time using a smartphone clinometer application. Results: The groups did not significantly affect the maximal knee extension angle but showed a significant effect for repetition (p = 0.002) and group-repetition interaction (p = 0.002). Males had no significant change in hamstring flexibility; however, females showed a significant increase in flexibility in the 5^th trial compared with the 1^st trial (p = 0.041). These results demonstrated sex-specific differences in flexibility improvement over time. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that specific warm-up can successfully improve hamstring flexibility in females. This may be due to various factors, such as muscle stiffness of the lower extremity, estrogen levels, and temperature sensitivity. In clinical settings, specific warm-up might be helpful for females who participate in sports or activities, such as running or jumping, which require a full range of motion in the hip and knee joints.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to compare the duration of hamstring flexibility improvement after 3 stretching interventions in people with limited hamstring flexibility. Twenty-two subjects (12 men, 10 women) with limited hamstring flexibility of the dominant leg received 3 stretching interventions- modified dynamic stretching (MDS), hold-relax (HR), and static stretching (SS)-in a random order. All the subjects received all 3 interventions at intervals of at least 24 hours to minimize any carry-over effect. Modified dynamic stretching was applied as a closed kinetic chain exercise in the supine position by using the sling suspension system (Redcord Trainer(R)). The SS and HR interventions were individually performed in the straight leg raising (SLR) position, and all 3 interventions were performed for 3 minutes. Outcome measures included passive knee extension (PKE) measurements. Five post-test measurements were recorded for all subjects at 3, 6, 9, 15, and 30 minutes after the interventions. MDS was associated with a significant increase in knee extension range of motion even at 30 minutes post-treatment. In contrast, the HR and SS stretching methods showed increased hamstring flexibility for only 6 minutes post-treatment. Improvements in the range of motion of knee extension (indicating enhancement in hamstring flexibility) with MDS were maintained longer than those with the HR and SS interventions. Therefore, MDS may be more effective than the other interventions for maintaining hamstring flexibility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.609-617
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study aims to provide effects of therapeutic techniques as well as basic materials of safety by comparing and analyzing the effects of hamstring flexibility and dynamic stability of lower lumbar according to Stretching and Massage Techniques to adults with reduced the flexibility of hamstring. METHODS: This study conducted differential diagnosis through sit and reach test(SRT) and Schober test to select subjects who have shortened hamstring without any spinal problem. Selected subjects were divided into two groups randomly; HSG(Hamstring Stretching Group, n=8) and HMG(Hamstring Massage Group, n=8) and they received treatment for 2 weeks. To take statistics, SRT and dynamic view using x-ray were used. RESULTS: On SRT, HSG and HMG showed significant difference between pre and post test. A comparison of the difference value between HSG and HMG, HSG($9.73{\pm}1.78$) has more remarkable outcome than HMG($2.78{\pm}0.56$). Lower lumbar intervertebral disc length test for Intervertebral disc length(IDL)L45 and IDLL5S1 did not show significant differences between two groups and difference value. CONCLUSION: This study showed that stretching is more effective to improve hamstring flexibility than massage technique. Especially, flexibility increase of the hamstring in vertebral stabilization cannot affect improvement possibility will make a flexibility in order and the intervention and stabilization exercise of the spine.