• PNF and Movement
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2003

Objectives: Few studies have reported on the flexibility of the hamstrings resulting from variable stretching method, and little studies of length adaptation at 1 day after intervention. Methods: Fifty-four healthy a woman in her twenties with no history of musculoskeletal or neurogenic disorder volunteered for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a contract-relax group or a passive stretching group. Methods: Hamstring flexibility was measured with a sit and reach test(SRT) (RF-D18; SPC) before, immediatly after interventions, and 1 day after interventions. Results: Flexibility scores for participants in each of the groups significantly increased from pre-interventions to immediate and 1 day after interventions. However, the length of 1 day after interventions was shorter than immediate length after interventions. Difference in length between immediate and 1 day after interventions was some shorter in the contract-relax group versus the static group but, not significantly. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a contract-relax is an effective length adaptation of hamstring muscles by 1 day after intervention.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.47-58
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to estimate how much the motility of affected and unaffected lower limb respectively would have effects on their ambulation through comparing the difference between their affected and unaffected lower limb and studying the correlation between such difference and their ambulation. In addition, the study also intends to find out remedial measures suitable for improving their ambulation with relevant physical treatment. To do this, a quantitative electromyogram(QEMG) test was done to both quadriceps and hamstring of affected and unaffected lower limb so as to yield IP values. Based on such IP values, RMS(root mean square) values as the total sum of IP values were found with QEMG analysis system (made by Medelec Co.) and then the ambulation depending on the difference in muscular strength were analyzed by ink-foot print method as well as the corresponding statistics were processed by T-test through SPSS. The effect of differences in muscular strength of quadriceps in affected and unaffected limb of hemiplegic patients on their ambulation was also different in each element of ambulation. However, there was not any statistically significant difference (p>.05). The differences in muscular strength of hamstring in unaffected limbs of hemiplegic patients only affect stride length. It was statistically significant. The effect of difference in muscular strength of the hamstring in affected limb of hemiplegic patients on their ambulation was very different between strong and weak group in terms of walking velocity, step per minute, stride and step length, showing statistically significant difference(p<.05). Although there was a difference in the step length of the affected limb, it was not statistically significant(p>.05). For the unaffected hamstring, there were significant differences of stride length between in unaffected limb and in affected limb. For the affected hamstring, there were also significant differences in walking velocity, step per minute, stride and step length. Besides, it was found that the difference of the muscular strength between strong and weak group was at the highest. Thus, the effect of difference in muscular strength on ambulatory factors such as walking velocity, step per minute, stride and step length did not show any statistical significance but differences in affected and unaffected quadriceps. However, it was found that both the difference of stride in unaffected hamstring and the difference of all ambulatory factors except from step length with affected limb had effects on ambulation depending upon muscular strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2022

Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a major cause of disability and a common musculoskeletal disorder encountered at some point in life. Dysfunction of the lumbar vertebrae has been associated with decreased flexibility of the hamstrings, which exhibited a strong positive correlation with LBP. Hamstring tension affects lumbar pelvic rhythm. We aimed to activate pelvic stability with compression by Active Therapeutic Movement (ATM), muscle energy technique (MET) was applied to increase the flexibility of the hamstring. Objects: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MET with ATM and general MET were applied to the hamstring of adults, who were in their twenties with nor without LBP, on their pelvic inclination and the length of their hamstring. Methods: A total of 32 subjects were briefed about the purpose of this study and agreed to participate voluntarily. Before the experiment, all subjects were pre-examined, and they were divided into an LBP group and a no lower back pain group accordingly. Thereafter, all subjects participated in both in a crossover manner. After at least one week, they switched to another group and participated in the same experiment. Results: The study results revealed that both groups demonstrated significant results in the modified active knee extension test (p < 0.01) and the sit and reach test (p < 0.01) performed to assess the hamstring flexibility; an interaction (p < 0.05) was noted. Moreover, a more significant difference was observed between the MET with ATM and the general MET. Although significant results were obtained for the pelvic inclination (p < 0.01), interaction was not noted. Conclusion: Conclusively, in this study, when the MET with ATM was applied to the two groups, there was a significant difference compared to the general MET for hamstring flexibility, but it was confirmed that there was no significant difference for the pelvic inclination.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Mulligan's bent leg raise (BLR), two leg rotation (TLR) and straight leg raise with traction (traction SLR) technique on the change of shortened hamstring length. Methods: Sixty subjects participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the BLR group (n=20) or TLR group (n=20) or traction SLR group (n=20). 90-90 SLR test was performed for evaluation of hamstring shortening at initial time of study. After intervention, immediate effect(immediately after intervention) and effect of maintenance (after 60 minutes from intervention) were assessed. Results: All three groups showed significant differences in the immediate evaluation and the post evaluation after 60 minutes on the change of shortened hamstring length compared to the initial evaluation. When three groups were compared, in the immediate effect, BLR and traction SLR groups were higher than TLR group (p<.05). And the effect after 60 minutes, BLR group was higher than the other two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: In the results of this study, three groups showed immediately and lasting effectiveness in flexibility of shortened hamstring. In addition, BLR and traction SLR groups were more flexible than TLR group in the immediate evaluation and BLR group had better maintenance of flexibility than the other two groups in the post evaluation after 60 minutes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2000

The Sit-and-Reach Test (SRT) is commonly nea to assess flexibility of the spine and length of the hamstring muscle, The purpose of this study was to describe hamstring muscle length as reflected by use of the SRT, the Hip Joint Angle (HJA) and Sack length(from C7 to S2) in children, to examine the correlation between Back length, SRT and HJA measurements and to examine gender differences. The 162 subjects were participated without known musculoskeletal and neurological impairments of their spine or lower exeremities. In the Long-silting position, the Back length, SRT and HJA measurements were obtained. A mean Back length value of 46.2cm, a mean SRT value of 29.4cm and a mean HJA of 77,0 degrees were obtained including all subjects. There was a strong correlation between the SRT and HJA measurements (r=.66). There were a difference between boys and girls in Back(p=.0019) and HJA measurements (p=.015). The results of this study suggest that measurements for the SRT and HJA were correlated than Back. The HJA measurements guide treatment more effectively than do Back length and SRT measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.369-379
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the initial effect of nerve mobilization (NM), static stretching (SS), and contract-relax (CR) techniques to find the best method in improving hamstring flexibility and gait function in patients with hemiplegia. Methods : Eleven patients with hemiplegia were included in this study. Passive knee extension (PKE) range of motion and the sit and reach (SR) test were used to measure hamstring flexibility, while timed up and go (TUG) and the 10m walking (10MW) test were used to measure the subject's gait. Measurements on each test were assessed prior to the experiment, immediately following the experiment, and 30 minutes after the experiment. Analysis of the results utilized a repeated measures analysis of variance to examine hamstring flexibility and the difference in walking ability. Results : The results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to hamstring flexibility (p<.05) following (both immediate and 30 minutes post experiment) PKE range of motion and the SR test, but post-hoc showed no significant difference between the three techniques (p>.05). Additionally, the results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to gait function (p<.05) following the TUG test, but found no significant difference in the 10MW test (p>.05). Post-hoc analysis between the three techniques suggests that only the NM technique significantly changed gait function. The time of TUG and 10MW test showed no significant difference between the three techniques before an experiment, just after an experiment, and 30 minutes following the experiment according to the measurement points in time (p>.05). Conclusion : This study suggests NM, SS, and CR techniques immediately improve hamstring length and flexibility while improving gait function in patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.455-463
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Graston and self-myofascial release (SMR) techniques on knee joint flexibility, hamstring, and quadriceps strength. METHODS: Twenty subjects with hamstring shortness participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: The Graston technique (GT) group received intervention using a Graston instrument for one minute, and the SMR group performed self-exercises using a foam roll for one minute. The range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint was measured by active knee extension test, and a handheld dynamometer was utilized to collect the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength. This experiment was performed by two physical therapists. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}$=0.05. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) The ROM of the knee joint and quadriceps muscle strength were significantly increased in both groups. 2) Hamstring muscle strength was significantly reduced in both groups. 3) There were no significant differences between the GT group and SMR group for any variable. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that SMR is an effective and easy technique for restoring proper muscle length and strength in subjects with hamstring shortness. We recommend that SMR technique be used for treat hamstring shortness in clinical setting and home-program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.501-507
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• 2012

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the effects of trunk flexion on the kinetic characteristics of the lumbar according to the degree of hamstring flexibility. METHODS: This study has as its subjects 29 young adults and divides them into the group (NSRTG, n=15) with the normal length of hamstrings according to SRT and the group (SSRTG, n=14) tending to have shortened hamstrings. Sit and Reach Test was conducted to evaluate the degree of hamstring flexibility. And to examine the kinetic difference of the lumbar at the trunk flexion, it was compared and analyzed by using the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). RESULTS: SSRTG showed more significant difference than NSRTG in the analysis on the trunk flexion of NSRTG and SSRTG. CONCLUSION: According to the analysis, the shortening of hamstrings is the factor that affects the dynamic stability of the lower lumbar through the reduction of the pelvic anterior tilt at the trunk flexion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

The active-knee-extension (AKE) test has been used to measure hamstring muscle length. The traditional AKE test measures the popliteal angle to the point of resistance with a 90-degree flexion of the hip fixed by straps, while the stabilized AKE test measures the popliteal angle to the point of resistance with a 90-degree flexion of the hip stabilized using a pressure biofeedback unit providing lumbopelvic stabilization. The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability of the traditional AKE test and stabilized AKE test. Twenty healthy adults participated in the study. The popliteal angles were measured with a digital inclinometer during each test. To assess the test-retest reliability between the 2 test sessions, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated. The intrasubject coefficient of variation ($CV_{intra}$) was also calculated. To compare the traditional and stabilized AKE tests for changes in pressure, paired t-tests were applied. The results of this study were as follows: 1) ICCs(3,1) value for test-retest reliability was .96 in the traditional AKE test, and was .98 in the stabilized AKE test. 2) The maximal $CV_{intra}$ was 33.7% in the traditional AKE test and 15.7% in the stabilized AKE test. 3) Differences of $6.1{\pm}2.1$ mmHg in pressure were measured in the traditional AKE test, and differences of $1.2{\pm}1.0$ mmHg in pressure were measured in the stabilized AKE test. The results show the traditional and stabilized AKE test to be highly reliable, with test-retest reliability. However, the stabilized AKE test represented less variation and more stabilization than the traditional AKE test. Further study is needed to measure the inter-rater reliability of the stabilized AKE test for generalization and clinical application.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2009

Purpose: to purpose prevent to dysfunction and decrease to pain level use to active therapeutic movement and sling manual, stability exercise in shortening hamstring chronic back patient. Methods: The patient's complain was Buttock and Lower Back Pain due to dysfunction posture work. The subject's initial Pain Scale was 60 of 100(VAS). The Subject Treatment to Sling Mobility exercise, Home exercise, ATM, Sling Stability exercise, sensory motor training During 8weeks for 18 times. Results: The result was Visual Analog Scale(VAS)was decreased 10 of 100 after treatment. Conclusion: Visual Analog Scale(VAS)was decreased 10 of 100 after treatment. Functional Leg Length Was recover to same level. Trunk Flexibility was increase to 18cm. Active Knee Extension ankle was decrease to $15^{\circ}$ limit range of motion due to Lt. Hamstring Shortening limit range of motion $30^{\circ}$. GPS(Gobal Postural System)test was recover to same level. This case study need to sufficient data and times.