• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Background: Hamstring shortness results in the inappropriate activation of the quadriceps femoris because of the loss of the reciprocal inhibition mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of that activation during lunge exercises on the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, medial, and lateral hamstrings in participants with hamstring shortness and normal length. Design: Quasi-experimental design Methods: Participants were divided into a hamstring shortness group(n=20) and a hamstring normal length group(n=23), based on a hamstring length test. During lunge exercises, muscle activation of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, medial, and lateral hamstrings were measured by electromyography. Results: Each muscle tested was less activated in the hamstring shortness group than in the hamstring normal length group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference between the shortness and normal hamstring groups during short lunge exercise time, longer exercising periods will result in the inappropriate activation of the quadriceps femoris. During lunge exercise, hamstring shortness causes an imbalance activation of quadriceps femoris and hamstring, and continuous hamstring shortness can cause damage on joints of lower limb.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate hamstring length during static uprighting position using weight distribution ratio. Methods: Ninety-six volunteers(56 males) were participated. The active knee extension test(AKE) was measured 3 times on both legs. The mean score of AKE was obtained. Then, the measurement of weight distribution ratio was observed 3 times on both legs, and its mean value was also calculated. Subjects were divided four groups based on their hamstring length measurement; both hamstring shortening group, left hamstring shortening group, right hamstring shortening group and normal hamstring length group. One-way ANOVA was employed to analyse collected data. Pearson's correlation was also hired to see any relationship between the hamstring length and the weight distribution. Results: In anterior/left area and posterior/right area, both hamstring shortening group left hamstring shortening group were superior to right hamstring shortening group and normal hamstring length group. Significant difference was existed statistically(p<.05) between groups. The correlation analysis between hamstring length and weight distribution ratio has not been shown any significant findings(Pant/post=0.733, Plt/rt=0.135). Conclusion: The results of the study may be applied to therapeutic management in posture and movement skill in musculoskeletal physical therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.443-450
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• 2012

PURPOSE: This study was investigated to find the validity of active movement control test for low back pain patients with or without hamstring shortening. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 28 subjects and all of them agreed to participate in the study. All subjects were classified according to 4groups. Group1 was no LBP, no hamstring shortening. Group2 was no LBP, hamstring shortening. Group3 was LBP, no hamstring shortening. Group4 was LBP, hamstring shortening. We measured to see their low back pain and hamstring shortening with VAS, Goniometer for active movement control test. We analyzed the data using Cochran Q test and crosstabulation for agreement index. RESULTS: The results of this study were as follows : 1) Low back pain had effect on active movement control by Group1 and Group2. 2) Hamstring had effect on active movement control by Group1 and Group2 3)Low back pain with or without hamstring shortening had effect on active movement control by Group4 CONCLUSION: According the results of this study, active movement control test were significantly influenced on low back pain and hamstring interaction.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Background: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) was a term which refers to a sudden onset of myoelectric silence in the erector spinae muscles of the back during standing full forward flexion. Hamstring muscle length may be related to specific pelvic and trunk movements. Many studies have been done on the FRP of the erector spinae muscles. However, no studies have yet investigated the influence of hamstring muscle flexibility on the FRP of the hamstring muscle and lumbopelvic kinematics during forward bending. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the hamstring muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics and compare them during forward bending in subjects with different hamstring muscle flexibility. Methods: The subjects of two different groups were recruited using the active knee extension test. Group 1-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angle under $30^{\circ}$; Group 2-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angel above $50^{\circ}$. The kinematic parameters during the trunk bending task were recorded using a motion analysis system and the FRRs of the hamstring muscles were calculated. Differences between the groups were identified with an independent t-test. Results: The subjects with greater hamstring length had significantly less lumbar spine flexion movement and more pelvic flexion movement. The subjects with greater pelvic flexion movement had a higher rate of flexion relaxation during full trunk bending (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that differences in hamstring muscle flexibility might cause changes in people's hamstring muscle activity and lumbopelvic kinematics.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2010

The Hamstring autograft and the bone patellar bone tendon autograft have been widely used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In recent years, use of hamstring autograft for ACL reconstrution has been increased. The reason seems to be the advantages of the hamstring tendon such as high ultimate tensile load, low donor site morbidity and development of graft fixation method. These theoretical advantages have been increased as studies have shown that hamstring tendons actually regenerate after harvesting for ACL reconstruction. However, the concerns have arisen regarding the disadvantages of hamstring harvest, which were weakness of tibial internal rotation, the loss of flexion strength. The flexion strength loss has been controversial, therefore it needs to study whether restoration of flexion strength after hamstring regeneration is or not. In this study, we reviewed the current research of concerns on the advantage and disadvantage of hamstring tendon autograft and the hamstring regeneration. Furthermore, we compared the earlier studies and experiences regarding Hamstring regeneration with our research.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Background: The hamstring is a muscle that crosses two joints, that is the hip and knee, and its flexibility is an important indicator of physical health in its role in many activities of daily living such as sitting, walking, and running. Limited range of motion (ROM) due to hamstring tightness is strongly related to back pain and malfunction of the hip joint. High-frequency diathermy (HFD) therapy is known to be effective in relaxing the muscle and increasing ROM. Objects: To investigate the effects of HFD on active knee extension ROM and hamstring tone and stiffness in participants with hamstring tightness. Methods: Twenty-four participants with hamstring tightness were recruited, and the operational definition of hamstring tightness in this study was active knee extension ROM of below 160° at 90° hip flexion in the supine position. HFD was applied to the hamstring for 15 minutes using the WINBACK device. All participants were examined before and after the intervention, and the results were analyzed using a paired t-test. The outcome measures included knee extension ROM, the viscoelastic property of the hamstring, and peak torque for passive knee extension. Results: The active knee extension ROM significantly increased from 138.8° ± 9.9° (mean ± standard deviation) to 143.9° ± 10.4° after the intervention (p < 0.05), while viscoelastic property of the hamstring significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Also, the peak torque for knee extension significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of HFD for 15 minutes to tight hamstrings immediately improves the active ROM and reduces the tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the muscle. However, further experiments are required to examine the long-term effects of HFD on hamstring tightness including pain reduction, postural improvement around the pelvis and lower extremities, and enhanced functional movement.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.259-268
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the immediate effect of hip hinge exercise stretching on hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle, proprioception, and dynamic balance in individual with tightness of the hamstring. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 35 healthy young adults (27 males, 8 females) volunteered for this study and randomly divided into three groups (Hip hinge exercise stretching group, passive stretching group, and PNF stretching group). The hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle, knee joint proprioception, dynamic balance was conducted for 3 times. In order to evaluate the hamstring flexibility, the active knee extension test was performed. Forward bending test was performed to examine pelvic tilting angle.The proprioception was tested by the joint position sense test and dynamic balance was evaluated by Y balance test. Results: The hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle and dynamic balance were significantly improved between three groups before and after intervention (p<0.05). Dynamic balance was significantly difference between the three groups in the posterolateral direction (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study result showed that hip hinge exercise stretching was the most effective method for increasing hamstring flexibility, pelvic tilting angle and dynamic balance. In addition, it is necessary to study whether hamstring stretching is effective in low back pain patient with hamstrings tightness.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.45-54
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was effect of hamstring length on one leg stance test(OLST) in 108 persons. (men 28, women 80). The active knee extension test(AKE) was applied 3 times on both leg and high score was selected. Then, one leg stance test(OLST) was applied 3 times on both leg and high score was selected. Also, persons divided two group that is normal hamstring length group and shortening group). The result were as follows : 1. The correlation analysis between Lt. hamstring length and one leg stance time was no significant relation($p_{Lt.}=0.271$, $p_{Rt.}=0.051$). 2. The correlation analysis between Rt. hamstring length and one leg stance time was no significant relation($p_{Lt.}=0.837$, $p_{Rt.}=0.334$). 3. The independent T -test between Lt. hamstring normal (knee extension > 150degrees) & shortening group (knee extension ${\leq}$ 150 degrees) in Lt. leg stance time was no significant difference(p=0.73), but in Rt. leg stance time was statistically significant difference(p=0.04). 4. The independent T-test between Rt. hamstring normal (knee extension > 150degrees) & shortening group (knee extension ${\leq}$ 150 degrees) in one leg stance time was no significant difference($p_{Lt.}=0.09$, $p_{Rt.}=0.16$).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.559-567
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• 2005

The purpose of this research is to study how the stretching exercise along with heat and electric therapy can effect on Angle of Lumbar Flexion and Reduction of Pain against the Hamstring Construction Symptom that can be found in the Chronic Low Back Patients. The target of research was 28 person selected out of the patients diagnosed as Lumbar Sprain and Lumbar Syndrome, who have positive from the active test of Hamstring construction and passive test. Their age range is 20 to 60 years old, 14 male and 14 female. As a research method, simple heat and electric therapy was applied to counter part while Hamstring Stretching Exercise including simple heat and electric therapy was applied to the experimental part. After 6 weeks treatment for each part, the results of effect on Angle of Lumbar Flexion and Pain Reduction was compared and analysed on the basis of the gravity angle meter and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The outcome of research is as follows: 1. Angle of Lumbar Flextion increased effectively not in the conventional counter group but the experimental group to which Hamstring Stretching was applied simultaneously. 2. remarkable effect was shown in the experimental part applied Hamstring Stretching. Consequently from the results of this study, we could find out the fact that the therapy combined preserve treatment and hamstring stretching not only produced increasing Lumbar Flexion Angle but also was more effective on reducing pain of the patients according to it than the conventional or preserve therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The current generation has shortened hamstrings due to a sedentary lifestyle, resulting in reduced flexibility of the hamstring and dysfunction. This study was undertaken to compare effects of three different release exercises on hamstring flexibility, in participants with short hamstrings. METHODS: Totally, 20 subjects having short hamstrings were involved in this study. The inclusion criterion for study participation was active knee extension test (AKET) less than 60°. All participants were subjected to 3 methods: hamstring foam roller release (HFRR), sitting self myofascial release (sitting SMR), and standing self myofascial release (Standing SMR). All participants randomly performed all three methods to avoid bias caused by learning or fatigue. Passive knee extension test (PKET), AKET, finger to floor distance test (FTFT), and pelvic tilting angle test (PTAT) were measured pre- and post-exercises. RESULTS: The PKET, AKET and FTFT were significantly increased after HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR exercise (p < .05). However, PTAT was not significantly increased after the three exercises (p > .05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between PKET, AKET, FTFT and PTAT subsequent to HFRR, sitting SMR, and standing SMR (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HFRR, sitting SMR and standing SMR were immediately effective in improving hamstring flexibility in participants with short hamstrings.