• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.8-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobilization of the sciatic nerve on hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. This study was a randomized clinical trial with a crossover design. Sixteen subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two intervention groups and underwent either of the following two interventions: sciatic nerve mobilization or static stretching of the hamstring. We assessed hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance using a digital inclinometer, a hand-held dynamometer, and the 10-meter walk test, respectively. Subjects had a 24-hour rest period between each session in order to minimize carryover effects. Measurements for each test were assessed prior to and immediately after the intervention sessions. Using a two-way analysis of variance test with repeated measures, data from the two trials were analyzed by comparing the differences between both techniques. The level of statistical significance was set at .05. Sciatic nerve mobilization resulted in significantly better knee extensor strength (p=.023, from $15.32{\pm}5.98$ to $18.16{\pm}6.95kg$) and knee flexor strength (p=.011, from $7.80{\pm}4.80$ to $8.15{\pm}4.24kg$) in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effects of static stretching of the hamstring were observed on hamstring flexibility from the ankle plantar flexion (p=.966) and ankle neutral positions (p=.210) and on gait performance (p=.396). This study indicated that the sciatic nerve mobilization technique may be more effective in muscle activation of the knee extensor muscle and knee flexor muscle than hamstring static stretching technique in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Graston technique for lower extremity range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, walking ability in hemiplegia patients. Methods: Twelve subjects participated in this study. The ROM of the knee extension was measured by 90-90 straight leg raise test, the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength was collected by utilizing a handheld dynamometer. In addition walking speed was evaluated by 10 meter walking test. The group was applied intervention using a Graston instrument for one minute. After intervention, immediate effect was assessed. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The ROM of the knee extension, quadriceps muscle strength and walking speed were significantly increased. Hamstring muscle strength was significantly reduced. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Graston instrument technique has the effect of instantaneously flexibility the muscles, and the muscle applied with the technique has weakened, while the muscle of the opposite side has increased the muscle strength. In addition, the muscle flexibility and the walking speed have increased.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2024

Purpose: The study was undertaken to investigate the electromyographic activities of the gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), and multifidus (MF) in three different sling locations during bridge exercise in the supine position. Methods: Twenty healthy male subjects participated. An electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities of the GM, HAM, and MF muscles. Subjects were asked to perform bridge exercises with three different sling locations as follows: 1) Bridge exercise with an ankle sling; BEAS, 2) Bridge exercise with a calf sling; BECS, and 3) Bridge exercise with a knee sling; BEKS in random order. The analysis was conducted using one-way repeated ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc. Significance was set at α=0.01. Results: HAM muscle activity was significantly different in the three conditions (BEAS, BECS, BEKS) (adjusted p-value [p_adj]<0.01), and HAM muscle activity was significantly smaller during BEKS than during BEAS or BECS (p_adj<0.01). Muscle activity ratio (GM/HAM) during BEKS was significantly greater than muscle activity ratios during BEAS or BECS (p_adj<0.01). Conclusion: BEKS is recommended to inhibit HAM muscle activity and improve the GM/HAM muscle activity ratio.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2009

Purpose：The hamstring muscle has an important role in standing, walking and other functions related to daily living. Most people with Cerebral Palsy(CP) have muscle tightness, especially in the hamstring, which may cause abnormal alignment in the lower extremities. To investigate an effective treatment for hamstring muscle tightness by observing the effects of heat pack or Soft tissue mobilization(STM) on hamstring muscles. Methods：Thirteen-two volunteers with CP aged between 9 and 13 years($M\pmSD$: $11\pm1.46$), were recruited and divided into four groups of four: (1) the STM for people with Spastic CP group, (2) the heat pack(HP) for people with Spastic CP group, (3) the STM for people with Mixd CP group, and (4) the heat pack for people with Mixed CP group. All received treatment three times per week for six weeks. A inclinometer was used to measure for hip flexion & knee extension joint range motion(ROM). Results：The ROM of hip flexion & knee extension were improved at the STM and HP for people with Spastic CP groups. The ROM and hip flexion were improved at the STM and HP for people with Mixed CP groups. The amount of increase ROM are differenced by the types of CP. Conculusion：STM and heat pack, both are effective for people with CP especially for Spastic CP.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate hamstring length during static uprighting position using weight distribution ratio. Methods: Ninety-six volunteers(56 males) were participated. The active knee extension test(AKE) was measured 3 times on both legs. The mean score of AKE was obtained. Then, the measurement of weight distribution ratio was observed 3 times on both legs, and its mean value was also calculated. Subjects were divided four groups based on their hamstring length measurement; both hamstring shortening group, left hamstring shortening group, right hamstring shortening group and normal hamstring length group. One-way ANOVA was employed to analyse collected data. Pearson's correlation was also hired to see any relationship between the hamstring length and the weight distribution. Results: In anterior/left area and posterior/right area, both hamstring shortening group left hamstring shortening group were superior to right hamstring shortening group and normal hamstring length group. Significant difference was existed statistically(p<.05) between groups. The correlation analysis between hamstring length and weight distribution ratio has not been shown any significant findings(Pant/post=0.733, Plt/rt=0.135). Conclusion: The results of the study may be applied to therapeutic management in posture and movement skill in musculoskeletal physical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate influence of contract-relax exercise on functional leg length inequality (FLLI) and muscle activity. Methods: The subjects were consisted of 40 healthy adults who had FLLI of which degree was at least 10mm. All subjects were randomly assigned to two groups : Contract-Relax Exercise (CRE) group (n=20), control group (n=20). The experimental group underwent CRE for 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Myosystem 1200 was used to measure the activity of rectus femoris and hamstring muscle. The tape measure method was used to measure FLLI. Statistical analysis was used repeated ANOVA know comparison of period, independent T-est know comparison of experiment group and control group. Results: All measurements for each subject took the following test : pre-test, post-test in 2 weeks, post-test in 4 weeks. The FLLI of the experimental group was significantly reduced according to within intervention period (p<0.05). Rectus femoris and hamstring muscle activity of the experimental group was significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The CRE can reduce FLLI and increase rectus femoris and hamstring muscle activity. Various contract-relax exercise for reduced of FLLI and the methods should be customized for the patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of muscle energy technique (MET) and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) on knee extension ROM, knee extensor/flexor strength and muscle thickness immediately and after 24 hours. Methods: A total of 30 subjects participated in this study. The participants were assigned to either MET (n=15) or IASTM (n=15). 90-90 straight leg raise, knee extensor/flexor muscle strength, muscle thickness test were measured before, immediately after and 24 hours after the intervention. Results: Both groups significantly improved knee extension ROM on immediate (MET 10.7°, IASTM 10.21° increased) and after 24 hours assessment (MET 5.61°, IASTM 5.47° increased)(p<.05). In the MET group, knee extension and flexion muscle strength increased immediately after intervention (p<.05). In the IASTM group, knee extension muscle strength increased and knee flexor muscle strength decreased immediately after intervention (p<.05). Furthermore, both groups showed a pattern of returning to the initial strength after 24 hours. In both groups, no significant difference in muscle thickness immediately and after 24 hours was observed (p>.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, MET and IASTM technique showed lasting effectiveness in flexibility of shortened hamstring immediately after and in 24 hours after the intervention. In both groups, MET increased muscle strength and increased ROM, while IASTM decreased muscle strength and increased ROM, with no change in muscle thickness.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.617-625
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• 2009

The primary purpose of this study was to compare the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength(H/Q) ratios in collegiate soccer players and normal age-matched healthy students, and the secondary purpose was to investigate the changes in the H/Q ratio according to the degree of knee flexion. Twenty-five subjects volunteered to participate in this study. The study group comprised 12 healthy male collegiate soccer players, and the control group, 13 healthy age-matched male collegiate students. The modified N-K table was used for isometric strength measurement(unit: N). Mann-Whitney tests were performed to determine the differences in the H/Q ratios of soccer players and age-matched students at different knee flexion angles of the dominant leg. The strength of the hamstring muscle in the study group was significantly lower than that observed in the control group at knee flexion angles of $60^{\circ}$ (p<.001), $90^{\circ}$ (p<.01), and $120^{\circ}$ (p<05). The strength of the quadriceps muscle in the study group was significantly higher than that observed in the control group at flexion angles of $30^{\circ}$ (p<.001) and $60^{\circ}$ (p<.05). The H/Q ratios in the study and control groups differed significantly at all angles ($60^{\circ}$, p<.001, $90^{\circ}$, p<.001 and $120^{\circ}$, p<.001).

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.201-211
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Muscle Energy Technique(MET) on the Hamstring flexibility of healthy adults by comparing stretching exercise. Methods : The subjects were consisted of healthy adults(54 male, 42 female). All subject randomly assigned to the Control group, Stretching group, MET group. stretching group received hamstring stretching for 75 seconds and MET group received Hamstring MET for 75 seconds. Then subject did the sit and reach test at before treatment, right after treatment and after 10 minutes treatment. Results : 1. Result of sit and reach test according to measurement time changed, three groups were all improved and significant difference(p<0.01) was observed among three groups. 2. Compared to before treatment and right after treatment result, MET group was more significant improved(p<0.01) than stretching group. 3. Compared to before treatment and after 10 minutes result, MET group was more significant improved(p<0.01) than stretching group. Conclusions : According to above results, improvement of hamstring flexibility, MET was more effect than stretching exercise.