• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.111-119
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• 2020

PURPOSE: In adults with hamstring tightness, stretching is considered a therapeutic exercise that improves flexibility. However, previous studies have reported efficacy of numerous methods, and are inconclusive in determining the most effective stretching techniques. This study aims to compare the outcomes of Evjenth-Hamberg stretching (E-HS), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNFS), and static stretching (SS), on muscle tone and flexibility. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were assigned to each of the three stretching groups:; E-HS (n₁ = 10), PNFS (n₂ = 10), and SS (n₃ = 10). Muscle tone of the hamstring muscle, active knee extension (AKE), and passive knee extension (PKE) were assessed by range of motion. RESULTS: After the intervention, statistically significant differences were obtained between groups for muscle tone (p < .05). The post hoc test, showed statistically significant differences in muscle tone between the E-HS and PNFS groups (p < .05), and PNFS and SS groups (p < .05). Post hoc test after intervention, also revealed statistically significant differences in flexibility (p < .05) between the E-HS and PNFS groups (p < .05), E-HS and SS groups (p < .05), and PNFS and SS groups (p < .05). Moreover, a statistically significant difference was observed in PKE scores between the E-HS and SS groups (p < .05), and PNFS and SS groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that E-HS may be the most effective stretching technique for muscle tone and flexibility, in adults with hamstring tightness.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to suggest the basic materials for proposing effective and efficient methods when stretching by measuring isokinetic muscular strength according to static, dynamic and PNF stretching. Methods: This study was conducted on 45 healthy persons (male and female) in their twenties who are attending universities. The subjects are randomly divided into three (3) groups, and static stretching is applied in group 1, dynamic stretching is applied in group 2 and PNF stretching is applied in group 3. After carrying out static, dynamic and PNF stretching, peak torque was measured using isokinetic muscular strength measurement. Results: According to the results, at $60^{\circ}$/sec and $180^{\circ}$/sec isokinetic peak torque of the knee joint according to types of stretching, the largest changes were shown in Group 2 extension and flexion, and the least changes were shown in Group 1. There were significant differences among the three groups (p<0.05), and the result of after-analysis by LSD showed that there were significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, and Groups 1 and 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion: The intention of this study was to determine the peak torque using Cybex after applying three stretching methods to hamstring muscles, and the case of dynamic and PNF stretching was found to be more significant in both the $60^{\circ}$/sec and $180^{\circ}$/sec angular speeds than that of static stretching. Using the results of such studies, if dynamic and PNF stretching are applied together with warming-up before performing sports, the risk of suffering wounds would reduce and the exactness of sports would increase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of the stretching to increase the range of motion of the joint, reduce the risk of injury, enhance athletic performance or decrease post exercise muscle soreness. This study was to compare the effect of the stretching method applied on the shortened hamstring muscle for flexibility, strength, pressure pain threshold value and muscle tone. METHODS: This study is a two-group pretest- posttest design. Fifty-four healthy young adults were randomly assigned to a vibration-assisted stretching group (VASG, n=27) or a static stretching group (SSG, n=27). Participants performed each stretch in 4 sets of 30 seconds each. A 30-second break time was provided between the sets. The range of motion, strength, pressure pain threshold values and muscle tone of the hamstring muscle were measured to compare the effects of the stretching methods. RESULTS: Both the VASG and the SSG participants showed significant improvement in the range of motion and strength (p<.05); however, the increase in the VASG was significantly higher than that in the SSG (p<.05). The pressure pain threshold values and muscle tone were significantly decreased only in the VASG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that vibration-supported stretching is an effective intervention for people with hamstring shortening, with high pain level and muscle tone decrease.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2003

Objectives: Few studies have reported on the flexibility of the hamstrings resulting from variable stretching method, and little studies of length adaptation at 1 day after intervention. Methods: Fifty-four healthy a woman in her twenties with no history of musculoskeletal or neurogenic disorder volunteered for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a contract-relax group or a passive stretching group. Methods: Hamstring flexibility was measured with a sit and reach test(SRT) (RF-D18; SPC) before, immediatly after interventions, and 1 day after interventions. Results: Flexibility scores for participants in each of the groups significantly increased from pre-interventions to immediate and 1 day after interventions. However, the length of 1 day after interventions was shorter than immediate length after interventions. Difference in length between immediate and 1 day after interventions was some shorter in the contract-relax group versus the static group but, not significantly. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a contract-relax is an effective length adaptation of hamstring muscles by 1 day after intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

Purpose : to investigate change of isokinetic muscle strength and isokinetic muscle endurance of quadriceps femoris and hamstring after application of taping and static stretching. Methods : For this study, 14 male members of college soccer team participated in this research. Participants were divided into two groups: seven was assigned to a taping group(n=7) and the others were assigned to a static stretching exercise group(n=7). Main outcome was measured by using biodex. The isokinetic muscle strength test was processed at the speed of the $60^{\circ}$/sec five times, and isokinetic muscle endurance was processed at the speed of $180^{\circ}$/sec ten times. Results : From the outcomes of the measurement, the results show that there is a more significant difference in the taping group than in a static stretching exercise group. Conclusion : These results will be utilized for the preliminaries in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.369-379
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the initial effect of nerve mobilization (NM), static stretching (SS), and contract-relax (CR) techniques to find the best method in improving hamstring flexibility and gait function in patients with hemiplegia. Methods : Eleven patients with hemiplegia were included in this study. Passive knee extension (PKE) range of motion and the sit and reach (SR) test were used to measure hamstring flexibility, while timed up and go (TUG) and the 10m walking (10MW) test were used to measure the subject's gait. Measurements on each test were assessed prior to the experiment, immediately following the experiment, and 30 minutes after the experiment. Analysis of the results utilized a repeated measures analysis of variance to examine hamstring flexibility and the difference in walking ability. Results : The results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to hamstring flexibility (p<.05) following (both immediate and 30 minutes post experiment) PKE range of motion and the SR test, but post-hoc showed no significant difference between the three techniques (p>.05). Additionally, the results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to gait function (p<.05) following the TUG test, but found no significant difference in the 10MW test (p>.05). Post-hoc analysis between the three techniques suggests that only the NM technique significantly changed gait function. The time of TUG and 10MW test showed no significant difference between the three techniques before an experiment, just after an experiment, and 30 minutes following the experiment according to the measurement points in time (p>.05). Conclusion : This study suggests NM, SS, and CR techniques immediately improve hamstring length and flexibility while improving gait function in patients with hemiplegia.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three relaxation techniques, namely, Static Stretching Exercise (SSE), Eccentric Contraction Exercise (ECE), and Suboccipital Muscle Release (SMR) on the flexibility and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. Methods: The participants were 45 adults in their 20s with hamstring shortening. They performed three exercises (i.e., SSE, ECE, and SMR) for two weeks. We measured flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance before and after the intervention, applying each relaxation technique. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at α=0.05. Results: Flexibility increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with the SSE group showing the greatest improvement. Muscle tone and stiffness decreased in all groups, with the ECE group exhibiting the highest reduction. Proprioception increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with SSE demonstrating the greatest enhancement. Balance also increased in all groups, with the ECE group showing the most pronounced improvement. Conclusion: Overall, all three relaxation techniques for hamstring shortening resulted in improved flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. The findings of this study underscore the importance of selecting an appropriate technique according to the purpose of treatment and the condition of the patient.