Comparison of the immediate effect of hamstring stretching techniques on hamstring muscle range of motion, pressure pain threshold and muscle tone

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the immediate effect of hamstring stretching techniques of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax and PNF irradiation on the hamstring muscle. Design: Three-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Fifty-one subjects with shortened hamstrings were randomly assigned to the static stretching group (n=17), PNF hold-relax group (n=17), and the PNF irradiation group (n=17). All subjects performed an active knee extension (AKE) test to assess for the lower extremity with a shortened hamstring. The static stretching group performed stretches by lifting their leg to the maximum extent (3 times, 30 seconds). The PNF hold-relax group performed maximal isometric contraction against the experimenter's resistance (3 times, 10 seconds). The PNF irradiation group performed maximum isometric contraction against the experimenter's resistance toward the direction of the body (5 times, 5 seconds). The pre and post-tests measured range of motion (ROM), pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and muscle tone. Results: There were significant differences in ROM and PPT between pre and post intervention in each group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference only in the ROM among groups (p<0.05). Post-hoc analysis showed that the changes in ROM occurred in the order of the PNF hold-relax group, static stretching group and PNF irradiation group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the PNF irradiation technique may improve ROM and may be used to improve ROM similar to other stretching techniques. Therefore, the PNF irradiation technique could be included in stretching programs and can be used as a suitable stretching method depending on the situation.

Gender difference in effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on flexibility and stiffness of hamstring muscle

“…The previous study suggested that the effect of stretching on ROM may be related to a modification in stretch tolerance ( Marek et al, 2005 ). Concerning the mechanism of altered stretch tolerance, afferent inputs from muscles and joints during stretch may suppress signals from nociceptive fibers, which may increase pain thresholds ( Yu and Shin, 2019 ). In addition, sensory afferents may affect the release of enkephalin from interneurons, which may help to reduce pain transmission in the dorsal horn during stretching, thereby increasing the pain threshold.…”

Effect of Hamstring Eccentric Exercise on Pain and Functional Activity in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

“…대상자의 발이 치료사의 어깨 위에 올려진 상태에서, 대상자가 최 대한으로 늘어뜨리는 과정에서 통증을 느끼기 시작 했 을 때, 대상자는 넙다리뒤근 근육의 최대 등장성 근력 수축을 치료사의 저항에 맞서 10초간 수행 후 이완하였 다. 이는 총 3회 반복하였다(Figure 1B) [19]. 1C) [20].…”