Comparison of Immediate Effect on Hamstring Flexibility Using Non Ballistic Active Knee Extension in Neural Slump Position and Static Stretch Technique

Abstract

Background: Amongst all of the biarticular muscles of the human body hamstring have a greater tendency to shorten. Increased tension in the neural structures has also been shown to be one of the most important causative factor for the hamstring tightness for which mobilisation of the nervous system has emerged as a significant adjunct apart from routine stretching techniques. There are lots of studies available which has proven the effect of stretching on the hamstring flexibility, but only after giving the multiple sessions. Thus the aim of this study was to determine whether a single session of hamstring stretching by neural slump and static stretch technique improves hamstring flexibility or not.Materials and Methods: 60 healthy individuals between the age groups of 18-30 as per the inclusion and exclusion criterion were enrolled for the study. Hamstring tightness was measured using knee flexion angle. Subjects were asked to actively extend their knee from 90-90 hip knee flexion in supine position, individuals having knee flexion angle more than 15 degrees were assumed to have hamstring tightness and were randomly allocated and divided into 2 groups, group A was given static stretch in modified Hurdler's position and group B was given neural slump stretch, having 30 subjects in each group.Result: Data was collected and statistically analyzed using the appropriate statistical tests. Results showed significant reduction in hamstring tightness in both the groups and on comparison, group B (Neural slump stretch) was found to be more effective than group A (Static stretch).Conclusion: Neural slump stretch was found to be more effective in immediately improving the hamstring flexibility as compared to static stretch.

Immediate Effect of Non Ballistic Active Knee Extension in Neural Slump Position Versus Muscle Energy Technique on Hamstring Flexiblity in Young Adults-Comparitive Study

“…Thus there are many proposed mechanism of improvement of hamstring flexibility by neural slump position. But reduced mechanosensitivity is the chief mechanism by which the nervous system becomes more tolerant to source of pain with movements and postures [1] A similar study , examining the immediate effect of neurodynamic sliding technique verses mulligan's bent leg raise technique on hamstring flexibility in a symptomatic individuals by vinod babu et. Al found that , In NDST group, who received Neurodynamic sliding technique showed that there is a statistically significant change in means of passive SLR ROM, when means were analysed from pre intervention to post intervention measurements within the group with positive percentage of change showing there is increase in post means.…”

“…Group A Patients were then instructed to perform 30 repetitions of active knee extension maintaining the full dorsiflexion, upto the point where the firm resistance or stretch was felt at the posterior thigh, knee or calf and position was held for the self count of one, two, three, four by the patient The position was held for 6 seconds and 30 repetitions were done. [1] Group B While the subject was lying in supine position, the subject's hip was passively flexed and the leg extended until tension was sensed by the researcher and the subject reported a moderate stretching sensation. The subject provided a moderate knee flexion isometric contraction (approximately 50% of maximal contraction), by pressing his ankle joint against the top of the researcher's shoulder for 7-10 s. This was followed by 2-3 s of relaxation, and then the leg was passively stretched by the researcher to the palpated barrier and/or tolerance to stretch and held for 30 s. The leg was then lowered to the table for a short resting period (approximately 10 s).…”

“…The hamstring are the group of muscles that have a tendency to shorten even among young, healthy individuals and in recreational athletes. [1] . Hamstring tightness leads to high risk of recurrent injury, decreases the perfor-mance in athletes, lead to post-exercise soreness and decreases coordination among athletes.…”

“…In the same way these noncontractile tissues can come under tension during passive or active movements of hip flexion or knee extension. [1] Techniques previously investigated for hamstring flexibility include static stretching exercise, heat, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Each of these interventions has demonstrated clinical and experimental success; no agreement has been reached on a standard protocol for treatment.…”

“…This approach which targets primarily the soft tissue is also known as active muscular relaxation [4] . Although abnormal muscle and tendon stiffness has been thought to be a cause of poor hamstring extensibility, several authors emphasised that abnormal mechanosensitivity due to sciatic nerve adhesion could potentiallyresult in decreased hamstring extensibility and stretch tolerance [5] Studies have shown that incorporating neuralmobilisation technique such as slump mobilisation into the treatment program can be an effective method of restoring normal neural tension and mechanics of the nervous system [1] . Therefore the need of this study is to compare the immediate effect of non ballistic active knee extension in neural slump position versus muscle energy technique on hamstring flexiblity in young adults.…”