Immediate Effects Of Lumbopelvic Rotational Exercise On Hamstring Flexibility And Running Gait Velocity In Recreational Runners: An Experimental Study.

Efficient running performance depends on coordinated lumbar spinal mobility and hamstring flexibility, which influence stride mechanics and gait velocity. Recreational runners commonly present with hamstring tightness and altered lumbopelvic rhythm, which may affect performance and increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Traditional warm-up protocols mainly focus on isolated hamstring stretching, whereas spine-focused mobility exercises such as lumbar rotational movements may improve functional flexibility and running mechanics.

Although previous studies have shown that lumbar mobility interventions can improve hamstring flexibility, limited research has examined their effect on functional performance outcomes such as running gait velocity. Recreational runners represent a large athletic population requiring practical and time-efficient warm-up strategies. Evaluating spine-centered exercises may help develop evidence-based performance enhancement and injury prevention protocols. Therefore, this study aims to assess the immediate effects of lumbar rotational exercises on hamstring flexibility and running gait velocity.

·       Study Design - Experimental  study

·       Study Setting - Dr D Y Patil college of physiotherapy

·       Target Population -Young Adults (18 to 25 Age)

·       Sampling Method - Convenient Sampling

·       Sampling Size – 30

Thirty recreational runners aged 18–25 years will be recruited and randomly allocated into control and experimental groups. Baseline hamstring flexibility will be assessed using the Passive Knee Extension test, and running gait velocity will be measured using Kinovea motion analysis during a 20-meter run. The control group will perform static hamstring stretching with two repetitions of 30-second hold per limb. The experimental group will perform one set of 30 repetitions of supervised lumbar rotational exercises in a controlled, pain-free range. Immediate post-intervention reassessment will be performed using identical procedures. Pre- and post-intervention results will be compared to evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar rotational exercises.