Comparing Effects of Six-week Active and Passive Static Stretching on Lumbar-Pelvic Rhythm In Males With Hamstring Shortness

Abstract

Background and Aims To compare the effect of active and passive static stretching hamstrings on flexibility and lumbar-pelvic rhythm in non-athlete men with hamstring shortness. Clinical observa‌tions have suggested that hamstring tightness influences the lumbar pelvic rhythm and may be associated with modifications in the sagittal spine curvatures during trunk flexion. Thigh hamstring can restrict hip movement, thereby increasing lumbar spine motion and causing back pain due to their influence on spino-pelvic rhythm during forward bending. Methods Hamstring muscle shortness was measured using the SLR and 90-90SLR tests. Measurements of the lumbar pelvic rhythm were recorded in the three-phase forward bending by spinal mouse. Variables include pelvic rotation, lumbar and thorasic flexion. Active and passive static stretching were respectively Jack-knife and kneeling hamstring stretching techniques. To compare pre- test and post- test values of active and passive static stretching groups was used paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. Also to investigate the difference between active and passive static stretching groups was used Ancova and U-Mann Whitney tests. Results After 6 weeks of active and passive static stretching total pelvic rotation was significantly increased in contrast to total lumbar flexion (P0/05). Conclusion Active and passive static stretching could change the lumbo-pelvic rhythm to a pelvic-dominant motion, indicating that flexible hamstring are important for preventing low back pain and other problems associated with disturbance of the lumbo-lumbar rhythm.