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The Effects of Hamstring Stretching With and Without Neural Load on Flexibility, Maximum Isometric Strength and Tibial Nerve Pressure Pain Threshold

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Healthy
Interventions
Other: Hamstring stretching program with neural load
Other: Hamstring stretching program without neural load
Registration Number
NCT05344586
Lead Sponsor
University of Jaén
Brief Summary

The study will be carried out at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of Alcala. The study has been approved by the Animal Research and Experimentation Ethics Committee of the University of Alcalá. Healthy subjects will be recruited and divided into two groups randomly to perform a hamstring stretching program for two months.

One group will perform a stretch with neural load and the other without neural load, although both groups will stretch for the same amount of time, repetitions and subjective sensation.

Participants will be measured before and after performing their assigned stretch. Then, a new post-stretch measurement will be taken after two months, period during which the subjects will perform the stretching program on their own. Finally, subjects will be asked to quit the stretching program to take a final evaluation measurement after one month of follow-up.

The objective will be to evaluate the effects of stretching with and without neural load on hamstring flexibility (main variable), maximum isometric strength and tibial nerve pressure pain threshold.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy subjects who do not perform hamstring stretches with neural load in their daily training routine
Exclusion Criteria
  • Elite athletes competing or preparing for competition
  • Lower limb surgery
  • Hamstring injury in the last year
  • Neurological, rheumatologic and/or orthopedic pathological history of lower limbs.
  • Other comorbidities

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention groupHamstring stretching program with neural loadHamstring stretching program with neural load
Control groupHamstring stretching program without neural loadHamstring stretching program without neural load
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in hamstring flexibilityBaseline, 2 months and 3 months after intervention commencement

measured with a goniometer. The subject remains in a supine position with both lower limbs extended. One examiner maintains a 90° hip flexion of the lower limb chosen for measurement, while the other examiner passively brings the knee to extension until a greater tissue resistance is noted or a feeling of discomfort is indicated by the subject. The knee extension is measured taking as reference the articular interline, the peroneal malleolus and the greater trochanter. The ankle remains in a relaxed position and the first examiner checks that no pelvic tilts occur while measuring.

It is determined whether the subject has hamstring retraction if he scores less than 160º.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in maximum isometric hamstring strengthBaseline, 2 months and 3 months after intervention commencement

measured using a digital dynamometer. Participants are placed in a prone position on the stretcher with the lower limb chosen for measurement in a 90º knee flexion (position determined visually). The dynamometer is placed on the subject´s heel. Then, an increasing force towards the knee extension is applied for 3-5 seconds. Subjects must try to maintain this position without allowing the knee to extend. The measurement is taken when the subject begins to extend his knee. Three measurements are taken in the same position leaving 30 seconds of rest in between. Finally, the average of the three measurements is taken.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Juan

🇪🇸

Alcalá De Henares, Madrid, Spain

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