Correlation between hamstring muscle length and pelvic tilt range during forward bending in healthy individuals: An initial evaluation

Hamstring muscle length and pelvic tilt range among individuals with and without low back pain

“…However, when there is an imbalance among these muscle groups or change in posture, the pelvis is thought to tilt either anteriorly or posteriorly, with anterior pelvic tilting occurring more frequently from weakened and lengthened hamstring muscles (Kendall et al, 2005;Nguyen et al, 2007) Investigation into the timing of the hip extensor muscle activity during a dynamic movement of forward bending by Leinonen et al (2000) showed that the hamstrings are activated before the gluteus maximus, thereby suggesting that the hamstring muscles play a very pivotal role in the alignment and orientation of the pelvis. Though there seems not to be a universal agreement on what the ideal posture is, excessive anterior inclination of the pelvis has in the past been regarded as undesirable, with suggestions that alteration in movement patterns could lead to excessive loading of lumbar tissues and thereby predispose individuals to low back pain (LBP) (Norris and Matthews, 2006). Change in body alignment (static posture) and alteration of movement sequencing (dynamic posture) have hence been hypothesized as are common risk factors for LBP (Norris and Matthews, 2006).…”

“…Though there seems not to be a universal agreement on what the ideal posture is, excessive anterior inclination of the pelvis has in the past been regarded as undesirable, with suggestions that alteration in movement patterns could lead to excessive loading of lumbar tissues and thereby predispose individuals to low back pain (LBP) (Norris and Matthews, 2006). Change in body alignment (static posture) and alteration of movement sequencing (dynamic posture) have hence been hypothesized as are common risk factors for LBP (Norris and Matthews, 2006).…”

The Effect of Stretching Hamstring, Gastrocnemius, Iliopsoas and Back Muscles on Pain and Functional Activities in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…All of these problems lead to low back pain with restriction of ADL as restriction of forward bending, which combined with lumbar and hip motion, is considered one of the most important detriments resulting from limitation of lumbar-pelvic movement and shortening of hamstring muscles, due to their attachments to the posterior leg and to the ischial tuberosity [19] [20]. Forward bending is a coupled movement, combining lumbar flexion and pelvic rotation, called lumbarpelvic rhythm [13]. It results from coordinated activity between the back extensor muscles (erector spinae) and the hip extensor muscles (gluteus and hamstrings).…”

“…One of the most common actions in daily living is forward bending [13]. Pelvic tilt and bending alteration in the sequencing of hip and lumbar spine movement patterns during forward bending has been proposed as a risk factor for the development of LBP [15].…”

A ‘functional pathology of the motor system’1 involves a pattern generating mechanism underlying most spinal pain disorders

“…A fundamental flaw in research design occurs when subjects are instructed to 'keep the knees straight' when bending forward. 48,62,70,71,75 This misunderstands the hamstring's role acting over two large joints as kinematically, full knee extension disallows the pelvis to posteriorly shift and anteriorly rotate, which is necessary to manage the body's center of mass within the base of support (Ch. 4).…”