%0 Journal Article
%T Immediate Effects of Neurodynamic Sliding versus Muscle Stretching on Hamstring Flexibility in Subjects with Short Hamstring Syndrome
%A Yolanda Castellote-Caballero
%A Mar¨ªe C. Valenza
%A Emilio J. Puentedura
%A C¨¦sar Fern¨¢ndez-de-las-Pe£¿as
%A Francisco Alburquerque-Send¨ªn
%J Journal of Sports Medicine
%D 2014
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2014/127471
%X Background. Hamstring injuries continue to affect active individuals and although inadequate muscle extensibility remains a commonly accepted factor, little is known about the most effective method to improve flexibility. Purpose. To determine if an isolated neurodynamic sciatic sliding technique would improve hamstring flexibility to a greater degree than stretching or a placebo intervention in asymptomatic subjects with short hamstring syndrome (SHS). Study Design. Randomized double-blinded controlled trial. Methods. One hundred and twenty subjects with SHS were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: neurodynamic sliding, hamstring stretching, and placebo control. Each subject¡¯s dominant leg was measured for straight leg raise (SLR) range of motion (ROM) before and after interventions. Data were analyzed with a mixed model ANOVA followed by simple main effects analyses. Results. At the end of the study, more ROM was observed in the Neurodynamic and Stretching groups compared to the Control group and more ROM in the Neurodynamic group compared to Stretching group. Conclusion. Findings suggest that a neurodynamic sliding technique will increase hamstring flexibility to a greater degree than static hamstring stretching in healthy subjects with SHS. Clinical Relevance. The use of neurodynamic sliding techniques to improve hamstring flexibility in sports may lead to a decreased incidence in injuries; however, this needs to be formally tested. 1. Introduction Injuries to the hamstring musculature are commonplace in many mainstream sports and occupations involving physical activity [1, 2]. They have not declined in recent times and the high rate of recurrence suggests that the current understanding of such injuries remains incomplete [3]. Hamstring muscle strains/tears account for 13¨C15% of injuries in Australian football [4, 5], 11% of injuries in elite New Zealand cricketers [6], 12¨C14% of injuries in professional soccer [7, 8], and up to 24% of injuries in Gaelic football [9]. Many predisposing factors for hamstring injury have been suggested within the literature, including insufficient warm-up [10], poor flexibility [11], muscle imbalances [12], neural tension [13], fatigue [14], and previous injuries [15]. Inadequate flexibility within the posterior thigh compartment appears to be one of the more commonly accepted causes of hamstring injuries [2, 16]; however, the evidence for decreased hamstring flexibility as a risk factor remains equivocal [11, 17]. A recent Cochrane review found no evidence for stretching as a sole intervention for prevention of hamstring
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jsm/2014/127471/