• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background: The hamstring is a muscle that crosses two joints, that is the hip and knee, and its flexibility is an important indicator of physical health in its role in many activities of daily living such as sitting, walking, and running. Limited range of motion (ROM) due to hamstring tightness is strongly related to back pain and malfunction of the hip joint. High-frequency diathermy (HFD) therapy is known to be effective in relaxing the muscle and increasing ROM. Objects: To investigate the effects of HFD on active knee extension ROM and hamstring tone and stiffness in participants with hamstring tightness. Methods: Twenty-four participants with hamstring tightness were recruited, and the operational definition of hamstring tightness in this study was active knee extension ROM of below 160° at 90° hip flexion in the supine position. HFD was applied to the hamstring for 15 minutes using the WINBACK device. All participants were examined before and after the intervention, and the results were analyzed using a paired t-test. The outcome measures included knee extension ROM, the viscoelastic property of the hamstring, and peak torque for passive knee extension. Results: The active knee extension ROM significantly increased from 138.8° ± 9.9° (mean ± standard deviation) to 143.9° ± 10.4° after the intervention (p < 0.05), while viscoelastic property of the hamstring significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Also, the peak torque for knee extension significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of HFD for 15 minutes to tight hamstrings immediately improves the active ROM and reduces the tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the muscle. However, further experiments are required to examine the long-term effects of HFD on hamstring tightness including pain reduction, postural improvement around the pelvis and lower extremities, and enhanced functional movement.

• 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 Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2017

Purpose : Most of the moderns have been spent sedentary life style in front of desk or on the chairs, so that their hamstring muscles are shorted commonly and the shortness of hamstring muscles are caused to some problems in functional activities. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of thermotherapy with hot-pack and ultrasound on the tightness of hamstring muscles in individuals with hamstring tightness. Method : Twenty-eight persons with hamstring tightness participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to three exercise groups: stretching group(n=10), hot-pack group(n=9), and ultrasound group(n=9). Before experiment, this study measured the angle of hip flexion using a inclinometer in all participants. Stretching group conducted actively stretching on their shorted leg for 30 seconds, 3 times, and rest for 10 seconds between each exercises. Hot-pack group have applied hot-pack($70{\sim}75^{\circ}C$) on shorted hamstring muscles for 20 minutes before stretching exercise. Ultrasound group have applied therapeutic ultrasound(1 MHz and 1.5W/cm2) on shorted hamstring muscles for 10 minutes before stretching exercise. All data was analysed using one-way repeated ANOVA. Result : The results revealed that ultrasound therapy before stretching is more effective to the flexibility on hamstring muscles than hot-pack before stretching and stretching only. Conclusion : The results of this study show that thermotherapy with therapeutic ultrasound will be effective on the shortness of hamstring muscles before stretching exercise.

• 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.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.2102-2106
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• 2020

Background: Static hamstring stretching exercises have been widely used to improve flexibility of the hamstring muscles. However, few studies have examined the influence of standing static hamstring stretching (e.g., jack-knife stretching) on movements of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. Objectives: To examine the short-term effects of jack-knife stretching on movements of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. Design: Case series. Methods: Fourteen participants with hamstring tightness (8 male, 6 female) were recruited. Participants performed jack-knife stretching for 150 s. Before and after stretching, participants performed the finger-to-floor distance (FFD), sit and reach (SRT), active knee extension (AKE), passive straight leg raising (PSLA), and active straight leg raising (ASLR) tests as well as pelvic tilt while standing to identify the effects of stretching. Results: There were significant improvements in the FFD, SRT, AKE, PSLA, and ASLR tests after stretching. However, pelvic tilt angle while standing did not significantly change. Conclusion: Jack-knife stretching can be a useful exercise to improve flexibility of the hamstring muscles, but not pelvic alignment while standing.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.1419-1420
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• 2010

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.66-68
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• 2012

Lumbar disc herniation in the adolescent is rare. The clinical features of adolescent lumbar disc herniation are typically different from those of adults. Many adolescent with that disease may be misdiagnosed as minor trauma, muscle sprain, tight hamstrings or scoliosis. Published series reiterate that adolescents, as opposed to adults, do not respond well to conservative treatment. In adolescent lumbar disc herniation with hamstring tightness, the neurologic defects are improved shortly after, discectomy, but the hamstring tightness continue and remain even after 1 year. Earlier discectomy and adjunct postsurgical conservative measures can provide a greater opportunity for correction and stabilization of scoliotic posture. We here report on a case of adolescent lumbar disc herniation that was misdiagnosed by knee injury during 2 years. After posterior partial discectomy, the hamstring tightness and scoliosis was disappeared without complication.

• 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.29 no.2
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• pp.14-19
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• 2022

Background: Plank exercise (PE) is an effective exercise to enhance lower back stability by strengthening the core and lower limb muscles. However, in patients with a shortened hamstring muscle (HAM), PE may cause abnormal movement of the pelvis and lower back due to HAM hyperactivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PE on the core muscles and HAM in subjects with a shortened HAM. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into a normal length of HAM group (NHG; 9 subjects) and a shortened length of HAM group (SHG; 14 subjects). The activities of the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and HAM muscles were measured using surface electromyography. Results: The results showed that RA, EO, and ES muscle activities were higher in the NHG than in the SHG; however, no significant differences were detected. Conclusion: HAM activity was significantly higher in the SHG than in the NHG. In subjects with a shortened HAM, PE may hyperactivate the HAM, adversely affecting the pelvis and lower back.

• 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.