EFFECT OF THREE TYPES OF STRETCHING ON THE ELASTICITY OF THE HAMSTRING MUSCLES. RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

 Introduction: the relationship between the elasticity of the hamstring musculature and the joint range of the hip has been demonstrated; therefore, in the present study we have set ourselves the main objective of comparing the effectiveness of 3 stretching methods in gaining elasticity of this muscle: Static Stretching, Muscle Energy Technique and Global Postural Re-education. As a secondary objective, we considered the possible relationship between the shortening of this muscle and low back pain. Material and method: a prospective longitudinal single-blind randomized clinical study was conducted following the recommendations and criteria of the Consolidated Standards of the Reporting Trials criteria (CONSORT).The sampling was for convenience. 148 subjects aged 22.50 (21-24)were recruited for the study, all of them students of the Osteopathic Physiotherapy course of the Degree in Physio-therapy at the European University of Madrid. For the analysis of the results of each intervention, 4 variables were used: finger-floor test, seat and reach test, knee angle and straight leg raise. Results: the 3 stretching methods were equally effective in gaining elasticity of the hamstrings compared to the control group, finding no significant diffe-rences between them; Regarding the second objective, the results showed that the subjects with some episode of low back pain in the last year presented a greater shortening of the hamstrings in the straight leg raise test com-pared to the subjects without previous episodes of low back pain. Conclusion: the 3 stretching methods are effective in increasing the elasticity of the hamstring muscles and gaining hip ROM; the relationship between hamstring shortening and previous episodes of low back pain should be further investigated.